Shawnee Public Schools

Shawnee Middle School 6th-grade students recently had the unique opportunity to engage in a visionary event, 8 80 Cities: A Conversation Between Two Generations on Community, held at the Gordon Cooper Technology Center. This event, featuring internationally renowned urbanist and community advocate Gil Penalosa, encouraged students to dream big about Shawnee’s future and to consider what makes a community great for residents of all ages, from 8-year-olds to 80-year-olds.

In an interactive session, students explored what they envision for Shawnee’s future and examined areas of concern within their neighborhoods. By identifying potential improvements to the city’s built environment, including sidewalks, mapping out unsafe routes, and highlighting areas where active transportation could be enhanced, students had a chance to reflect on issues they encounter daily.

“We are incredibly proud of our 6th graders for participating in this unique opportunity," said Keely Tolin, Shawnee Middle School principal. "Their insights on improving the city’s accessibility and safety for all ages are invaluable, and it’s empowering to see them actively contributing to a more inclusive future. We are especially grateful to our community partners for including our students and truly listening to their voices, recognizing the role they play in shaping Shawnee.”

Each student was also invited to bring a "grand grown-up" from their life, creating an intergenerational dialogue on community needs, aspirations, and priorities. Together, they shared perspectives on Shawnee’s growth, safety, and accessibility, adding valuable insight to the conversation.

“By empowering the students to contribute to these important discussions, we are helping to shape a community that works well for all generations,” said Amanda Johnson, Pottawatomie Go Built Environment co-chair. “This event provided a rare chance for our young people to voice their ideas for the future of Shawnee while learning from the experiences of older generations.”

The event not only connected students with the larger goal of making Shawnee a safer and more accessible community but also underscored the importance of youth voices in city planning and development. Shawnee Public Schools would like to thank AARP and Pottawatomie Go for making this opportunity possible and including the students in this important community conversation.