(Editor’s Note: Each year, Arkansas Business partners with the Arkansas Municipal League to present the Trendsetter City awards, which recognize exceptional initiatives underway in municipalities across the state. Large, medium and small-sized cities were honored in six categories: Diversity and Inclusion; Education/Workforce Development; Infrastructure and Water; Public Works/Environmental and Green Management; Technology and Security; and Tourism Development/Creative Culture. Below is one winner’s story. For more, click here.)
Education/Workforce Development
Winner • 5,000-20,000
Population: 19,452 | Mayor: Caleb Norris | County: Pulaski | Region: Central
The Challenge
Students at the Friendship Lab School for Dyslexia reached out to city leaders with an idea for a simple partnership: donations collected in the school’s food drive would go to the city’s network of food pantries. Local leaders took notice of the students’ interest in community service and civic engagement, and wanted to find a way to keep students engaged long-term, while also supporting their educational needs.
The Solution
In 2023, Maumelle partnered with the Friendship Lab School to create an educational initiative that immersed students in local government. Students toured City Hall, engaged in mock council meetings and connected with city departments, deepening their understanding of civic responsibilities and democracy. This program not only enriched students’ education but also fostered community engagement, and it can be replicated for years to come.
Business Interests
Leevi Fleshman, a Friendship Lab School student, was named Student of the Year by the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce in 2024.
The Friendship Lab School for Dyslexia’s partnership with the city of Maumelle incorporates hands-on and experience learning to accommodate students’ language-based learning differences.
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