Back in 2009, Cade Harrison-Hertz and his friend Matt Gilliland designed and created a sustainable community diorama for their WISE project. The diorama, which combined engineering, design, and environmental science, allowed the two Rondout Valley seniors to study hydroelectric, solar, and wind power. And the proof is in the details: the miniature town is equipped with mini solar panels and windmills!

Cade’s handwritten journal entries, which documented his WISE journey, were more than reflective–they were also creative and soulful. So impressed with his writing was evaluator Andy Lutz that Andy requested that Cade read one of his poetic entries aloud during his final presentation.

Cade is currently finishing his degree at Humboldt State University in California.