Above: Graves County 4-H Club members (front row, from left) Shelby Phillips (Graves County Middle School), Ryan Hayden (Fancy Farm Elementary), Micah Hall (GCMS), (back row, from left) Isabella Byassee (Graves County High School), Jamie LeMay (GCMS), Connor Wilson (GCMS) and Zacharie Lamb (GCMS), along with their coach, Graves County Extension agent for 4-H Tracey Tashjian, returned from the 2016-2017 Future City competition in LaGrange, Ky., Jan. 16 with a first place award in the regional contest vs. 48 other teams.

Next, they will represent Kentucky in the national contest, Feb. 18-21, in Washington, D.C. Presenters Micah Hall, Ryan Hayden, Zacharie Lamb, alumni Isabella Byassee, and coach Tracey Tashjian, won an all-expenses paid trip to the D.C. contest. Additionally, the 4-H team members earned the "People's Choice," "Best Speaker," (Zacharie Lamb), and "Outstanding Alumni" (Isabella Byassee) awards.

This year's theme, "The Power of Public Space, Envisioning Urban Public Spaces of Tomorrow," challenged teams to incorporate engineering ideas to revitalize their city's economy, reduce crime, promote safety, improve the environment and enhance civic engagement. The group began working in June to present their vision of the future through a virtual city design (using SimCity(tm) software); a 1,500-word city essay; a scale model of their city (built with recycled materials); and a short presentation to a panel of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, or STEM, professionals.

Future City is a national contest for sixth, seventh and eighth graders that places its student-competitors in real world situations and asks them to be the problem solvers, as they brainstorm ideas and design solutions.

To learn more about getting involved in Future City and other 4-H activities, contact Tracey Tashjian at (270)247-2334.