Six recent graduates of The Children’s School have won a $500 Environmental Activism Award (Local) in the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest for their short film, “Generating Our Future.” Holly Murphy, Indra Mallik, Amelia Richards, Jasmine Dola, Otto Bruner, and William Peterson completed the film as 8th graders as part of a class project on the Great Lakes. The award is sponsored by Food and Water Watch, and the international contest is based in Chicago.
In their 8-minute film, the students explore the strain that growing numbers of data centers place on the Great Lakes, examining how hundreds of facilities draw millions of gallons of water daily to cool their servers — much of which evaporates rather than returning to the water supply.
Head of School Michelle Candelaria-Dunstan praised the students and 8th grade teacher Gloria Mitchell, who guided them through the project, calling the international recognition an incredible honor. She added that the school aims to give students authentic, real-world learning experiences that build critical thinking and voice — and said this project reflects that mission in action.
“Generating Our Future” and other winning films will be screened at a Global Awards Celebration on Sunday, Sept. 27, at Davis Theater in Chicago, with a virtual option also available.
The Children’s School is a K-8 not-for-profit private school in Chicago’s western suburbs, specializing in progressive education.
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