In this episode, we're joined by Ames High sophomore Lauren Van Hauen, who won the Iowa FFA Creed speaking competition and is headed to the national stage. Lauren explains the history and structure of the FFA Creed, how the creed-speaking contest is judged, and the preparation and choreography behind her winning performance.

She shares personal highlights like her favorite line about the "joys and discomforts" of agricultural life, the emotions of winning state as a freshman, and her goals moving forward, including competing at nationals, showing pigs, and pursuing FFA leadership roles.

On this episode, Ames High students Claire and Chloe Lu talk about their EcoTips initiative, which earned them the President's Environmental Youth Award. They describe how a DECA project grew into community events, summer camps, recycling education, and partnerships across Ames.

Claire and Chloe share lessons on persistence, collaboration, and practical, low-cost sustainability actions, plus advice for other students who want to start making a difference in their communities.

Join Ames Middle School student Benji Harris as he describes competing in the NBA Math Hoops Global Championship in New York City, including the draft event, a live-action game at the New York Liberty training facility, and the finals at NBA headquarters.

Benji explains how NBA Math Hoops blends basketball statistics with math, how he prepared, the friendships he formed with students worldwide, and how the experience increased his enthusiasm for math.