Students to present ideas for the future of Lexington as 250Lex comes to an end

Editor’s Note: As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and kentucky.com each day throughout 2025 will share interesting facts about our hometown. Compiled by Liz Carey, all are notable moments in the city’s history — some funny, some sad, others heartbreaking or celebratory, and some just downright strange.

As Lexington’s celebration of its 250th anniversary comes to a close, leaders will spend time with the city’s future voters.

On Dec. 9, students at the STEAM Academy will present their vision of what Lexington could be in the future. Part of 250Lex, the city’s year-long celebration of its history, the evening will transition from looking to the past to looking toward the future, said Marty Vaughan, an English and journalism teacher at the school.

“If things go the way we hope, today’s leaders will see a different vision of the (city’s) future,” he said. “I really feel that there is going to be something magical that night as we change from 250Lex to Future Lex.”

Students were charged with presenting research projects looking at the qualities that make a community strong and future-ready, officials said. Those research areas included health and vitality, local leadership, environmental best practices, civil engineering and infrastructure, and social well-being.

Local leaders and the public will be invited to see what the students have created.

STEAM Academy focuses on project-based learning and student inquiry. Vaughan said providing students with this project has helped them to learn more about their community and envision ways to make it better.

Structured as a town hall gathering, students will present their research topics and Mayor Linda Gorton will make remarks, not only about the city’s celebration this year, but about the possibilities for the city’s future.

“This event invites our young people to share their vision for the Lexington they will lead into our next 250 years,” Gorton said.

The project was funded through sponsors, including Chik-Fil-A and Publix, who provided food for the event. The evening will also feature orchestral music and the opportunity for the public to see the students’ work as they “step into the role of researchers, storytellers, and visionaries” and explore the past, present and future of the city.

Students have built their own website, https://250lexatsteam.com, and an app to give information about the exhibits.

The evening is free and open to the public, and runs from 5:30 to 7:30 on Dec. 9, at the STEAM Academy, 1555 Georgetown Road.

Have a question or story idea related to Lexington’s 250-year history? Let us know at 250LexKy@gmail.com.