Tune in to our latest podcast episode as we take you on a journey through the exciting and innovative Inaugural FISD Country Fair. This unique event showcases extraordinary local student talent and businesses, brought to life by the visionary Friendswood High School Senior Levi John.
The Country Fair is Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and discover a world of creativity, passion, and innovation as our students present their exceptional products, services, and talents just in time for the holiday season. Hear firsthand from Levi John and how his mother's suggestion turned into a district-wide fair, and get a sneak peek of what makes this event a can't-miss experience for the whole community. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to support our budding entrepreneurs and artists!"
Tune in to our latest podcast episode as we take you on a journey through the exciting and innovative Inaugural FISD Country Fair. This unique event showcases extraordinary local student talent and businesses, brought to life by the visionary Friendswood High School Senior Levi John.
The Country Fair is Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and discover a world of creativity, passion, and innovation as our students present their exceptional products, services, and talents just in time for the holiday season. Hear firsthand from Levi John and how his mother's suggestion turned into a district-wide fair, and get a sneak peek of what makes this event a can't-miss experience for the whole community. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to support our budding entrepreneurs and artists!"
Speaker 1 It's exactly what I want to do. I mean, like I've been doing to add even more added to the context. I mean, I literally watch HGTV for a mom just because I enjoy it like it gets up my ah, I mean, it starts growing these days. It's crazy. Yeah. So that's good. I mean, that's important. Speaker 2 You know, you'll you'll find out It's a lot of projects, it's a lot of hours. But, you know, if you're doing something that you love and that's just, you know, it's enjoyable. Speaker 3 And I don't know if I told you this, but whenever I was over at your house before Dancing with the Stars, I actually was talking to Blake and he was like, he knew where I got married because of the marketing. Speaker 2 So, yeah. Speaker 3 I was I personally thinking, how do you know that? He starts talking about the design of it and. Speaker 2 He's all in? Yes. Yeah. So we're rolling, I take it. All right. Okay. Well, welcome to season three, Episode four of episodes, the podcast where Kelsey goes. Speaker 3 That's. Speaker 2 Me and Dana. Owen, That's me. I have the pleasure of interviewing interesting people and discussing anything and everything. Friendswood Ask. Today we have a student from Friendswood High School. Levi John Ellis I want to say John Levi Every time. Speaker 1 Many people do that, many people do that. Speaker 2 Who has undertaken the initiative to organize and manage a student led and student run country fair. This event will provide a platform for student organizations and groups to showcase their talents and offer merchandise they've crafted to the wider community. That's like really amazing. We're going to get into that and all the details of that. But let me first say welcome. Speaker 1 Thank you. I really appreciate both of you having me today. Speaker 2 It's really glad you're here. And we've actually seen and heard you talk multiple times. You originally came to a school board meeting. Mr. Moore, Had you talked to the school board? Kind of give them the details of what it is that you're doing. Then he brought you he took you to the Rotary, right? You spoke there? Speaker 1 Yes. Speaker 2 Chamber. Speaker 1 Chamber. Chamber of Commerce. Speaker 2 Chamber. And then he brought you to our. Speaker 3 Seniors. Speaker 2 To speak to them? Yes. Which was fine, I thought in a little different sense for that. They were so black women. Speaker 3 Who sold. Speaker 2 Out your wood, working like, you know, stuff that you had done. You were like. Speaker 3 Ooh, do you know who he. Speaker 2 Is and why? Speaker 1 So, yeah. Wow. To be honest, I wasn't actually good enough for you, but I'm like, you know, at last I can I'm just going to get a copy of the. Speaker 3 Seller that's the seller. But marketing side of us is going to come out here. You've always got to pull those stunts, right? You got to pull out the product, show them the guts. Speaker 2 Right now it's getting in front of people. Speaker 3 Wow. Speaker 2 It's one thing to throw a flier out. It's another thing to actually be the face of that fair standing there talking about. I mean, that is going to sell, I think. I think that's going to bring a lot more people to the festival. Speaker 1 I'm very excited about that. Honestly, that was my hope when it came to going to the senior citizens. It was amazing just to like, appeal to them and explain to them what exactly this event is supposed to be and our mission for it. So I'm really excited about it. Speaker 3 And that was actually your second must seeing seniors meeting, right? Yes. So you designed the car? Speaker 1 Yes, I did. So last year. So much for group design. I was a part of the second part of Goff Design, the career path that I took. And when it came to it, the design created was I think it was Friendswood. I don't know. I mean, I don't know what it's. Speaker 3 Called, but seeing grandparents. Speaker 1 Blessing, grandparents. Speaker 3 Exact just was going through all of our senior citizen stuff for. Speaker 1 My my teacher Little said, Hey, can you just rip a design and just get it going? I'm like, okay, cool. So I just did it and she loved it. Actually, I was actually one of the first projects she absolutely loved. And I'm like, Okay, cool. And they put it on a bunch of So that's pretty cool. Speaker 3 You're going to have a bunch of fans that you made two great impressions on them. Speaker 2 That's awesome. Okay, so let's get into the details of this country fair coming up the first weekend of November, right? It's only Saturday. Did it start out being Saturday, Sunday and then we moved to just Saturday. Speaker 1 So actually it only I think it was only Saturday because I'm pretty sure I to be honest, this whole thing started in November and I'm sorry, it started in January. In January, just the whole planning process started. And even in the middle of planning, like around June ish, I still we didn't still have a full like, like plan hours to what exactly what day it was. Speaker 1 But I think our entire time it was November 4th was going to be our date in the end. Speaker 2 Okay, so it's November 4th from tell us the time. Speaker 1 From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Speaker 2 9 p.m. to 4 p.m. And where is it exactly? Speaker 1 So it's at Friendswood High School. It's the first hallway that is right next to the little Mustangs preschool playground. And the and then the other side, which used to be the old tennis court. Speaker 2 So. So it's in the mall area. Speaker 1 In the mall. Speaker 2 Area, Exactly. In my mind, I was pictured outside, which does not make sense at all with all the construction going on. So it's inside. Yes. So we don't really care about the weather. That's great. We don't have to worry about it. Speaker 1 So a little bit of a little bit. Yes and no. So there's going to be to appeal to everybody. There's going to be a lot of activities outside as well. Okay. So we'll have FAA doing their petting zoo for our younger audience. And so they'll be outside, actually, I'm pretty sure will be in the preschool pen. So like the veto pen, I'm sorry, they're making it into it. Speaker 1 So that's the the preschool playground. It will be in the paintings. It will be in the playground. Yeah. So that's pretty. Speaker 2 Cool. There's going to be cleaning up after that. Speaker 1 No, Excellent question. I said I have no idea who's gonna be doing it. And Mr. Rifle goes to me and says it's done. He was like, Yeah, we'll take care of it all the like, you know, mess that they create. We'll take care of it. I'm like, Great, It's out of my hands. Speaker 2 Yeah, that's awesome. Okay, so FFA Petting Zoo, What else? Tell us what else? Speaker 1 So we'll have our I. Oh, first off, I wanted to appeal to our student entrepreneurs. So I went to them and a lot of them responded. So we had a total of around 30 individual entrepreneurs, both from the junior high and the high school. We had a little bit in the junior high and then we had a lot at the high school. Speaker 1 It's mostly art students that are appealing to what they've created over the past many years. I said straight up to them, Bring your portfolio, just bring everything laid out on the table and let friends would do their thing, which is support. And you know, when it comes down to it, they will definitely support. Speaker 2 So these artists are going to show up with things to sell, I'm assuming. Speaker 1 Yes. Okay. So the two things I said to them was have things to sell. But also if they realize that they would love to for you to make more art for them. Right. They will have an and they will have the the customers will have the ability to scan a QR code or whatnot and ask them to make a specific. Speaker 3 Size for a custom piece. Is there going to be anyone drawing like caricatures? Speaker 1 So I don't know. That's a great question. I will definitely get back to that. But that is a great idea. Speaker 3 I was like, Did you ever see the take stock videos of the people who make them look terrible? Yes. They're like, I have seen overdone whatever. The worst. Yes. Feature is that they're probably the most insecure, though, because I'm always like, oh my gosh, they always laugh. So I guess they do. Speaker 2 Always. Speaker 3 Laugh. They're good. But it's. Speaker 2 Hilarious. It is hilarious. Speaker 3 Yeah, it's like if your tooth is like slightly you have a slight overbite, they're going to make out your finger. Speaker 1 All the way. You know, this and. Speaker 2 That. Yeah, that's funny. So I guess you'll have to come to the country fair and find out. Yes, that's going to be there. Speaker 1 Yes, ma'am. Speaker 2 So what else? I know you love woodworking. Speaker 1 Yes. So when it came to when it came to me, I've been doing woodworking for four years now. I've actually ever since quarantine started in COVID. And at first it was charcuterie boards, but I've actually branched out into many different things. Me and my mom do it, so we're kind of like, What's the word. Speaker 3 Dynamic to. Speaker 1 Dynamic to it? That's very weird. But yes, we're a dynamic duo, so we she does actually spoons and pizza cutters and whatnot. I actually do that a little bit, a little bit of that, too. But I see I also work more on the big product side. So I do charcuterie boards, tub trays like, you know, for ladies, whatnot. Speaker 1 And then I do and I was working Oh yeah, I'm working on mirrors right now. Mirrors that have live Edgewood and with a mirror right next to it, it's going to it's going to look really great. I'm trying to find different types of Do you ever. Speaker 2 Just do like, big wooden. Speaker 1 Bowls? Yes. So big wooden. Oh, no. So when it came to creating, like, spoons and like spoons and whatnot, I use a machine called the lathe, and it just makes bowls for us. That's a product project, a future project we're going to work on. But not yet. Speaker 2 But now. Has your mother always enjoyed woodworking and you've always just kind of watched her and then you just over the last three or four years got involved with making it. Speaker 1 To be honest, it actually was it was kind of the opposite of that. So when she was woodworking in the garage, I would be like away from that area because I hated the noise. I hated all that like that all that much. I'm like, I don't want that. I don't like that. But eventually it came to the point where during quarantine I was bored out of my mind and I was saying like, you know, Mom, I don't like playing video games. Speaker 1 Like people are like bored of their might not know what to do. So she just taught me how to woodworking. And since then, I mean, we've been doing live as well, so. Speaker 2 No. Mom. Speaker 1 Yes, absolutely, Mom. It's the same thing. She's all this. Speaker 2 Really is a skill, though, that or a hobby that you can have the rest. Speaker 3 Of your life. Yes. Speaker 2 It's such an incredible hobby. I'd give anything to know how to do woodworking. Speaker 3 She has a lot of ideal side hustles. Yeah. Speaker 2 I do, but I've done none of them. But I. The thought of doing them just sounds heavenly to me. Speaker 3 Okay, so. So woodworking or cabinet building? Speaker 2 Yeah, Cabinet. I would like to do cabinet. Speaker 1 I really shouldn't have that type of person that likes doing cabinet building. I mean, I have that people have asked me like, do you make that stuff? I'm like, Actually, I don't do that type of things. I do like, you know, even right now we're working on a project where it's going to be like wine rack. So we're like bottle racks, we're with live Edgewood. Speaker 1 Everything we work with is live, but we don't use wood from Home Depot or Lowe's. We use all wood that comes from a mill in Albion. So it's pretty cool. Speaker 3 And don't you? Oh, okay. I feel like the thing you brought to Mustang senior citizens, did it have something in it? Like was there. Speaker 1 So when it comes so this live edge would, it comes with all sorts of problems we sell we send it to a killing so it can kill everything in it if there is anything in it. But then after that it comes with a whole world of problems. So there can be cracks, there can be even just holes in it. Speaker 1 So we do something called a poxy. Speaker 3 Poxy that's says you. Speaker 1 Put a pocket, we pour box into it. And honestly, it's come to a point for me, both me and my mom, where we can make cool designs and then, oh yeah, I'm, I filled so many times when it comes to making a beach scene, but I'm working on that. I wasted a lot of boxes drying that out, but no, when it comes to filling like holes and whatnot, we just use epoxy. Speaker 1 It's really. Speaker 3 Cool. Yeah, well, a lot of people love that. Like, love that. Look, I'm having the little I love that they're having that little pop of color and they're super cool. Mm. Speaker 1 Yes, ma'am. Speaker 2 It seems like a totally new idea. Like, I don't ever remember seeing that until a certain time. And it's become very popular now. Speaker 3 Right? Speaker 2 It's very cool. So what else are we leaving out about the Country Faire on November 4th? That that's an inside of the high school. Speaker 1 So right now we one of the things so after I appeal to entrepreneurs, we branch out a little bit more and we decided to like think of organizations in our school. So our department was obviously one of them I appeal to. I'm in choir as well. So I went to go to are my choir director and I asked her, is there any chance that you guys might want to do caroling? Speaker 1 She's like, Absolutely. So she has one of her or one of her entire choirs, a choir of, I think maybe 15 to 20 girls. And they will be doing carols throughout the halls, which I'm really excited about. I know it is a little bit of a Thanksgiving theme to the country fair, but it's okay. We're more in the holiday season, so holiday season. Speaker 3 Exactly. So that's something we had discussed. But why the name the country fair so originally? Speaker 1 So when I when I went to the Chamber of Commerce, I think back in May ish, when I when I went up to them and I was talking to them about it originally, my plan was having it being in Nutcracker Market for Friends of The Nutcracker. I don't remember what the exact name was, but like I was trying to make it look like that. Speaker 1 But when they said to me, like, we can't do that because that is copyright, I'm like, Oh great. So this Kirkpatrick walked up to me. She's like, Hey, actually, we've done this before. Let me go to Mr. Griffen, the high school principal, and let me go ask him. So they already had a name for it. Friends of Country Fair. Speaker 1 And I'm like, okay, you know what? Scrap all the names that I tried. This is the name I'm really excited. Speaker 2 So what year that happened? Speaker 1 I actually do not know. I probably should know the history of this, but no, I'm trying to kind of revamp it, like relive. Speaker 3 The history, and he'll recite it to you as you walk in the door of the country fair. Speaker 1 Everyone else will have audio. I'll have a speaker going and everything. Speaker 3 No one's attending. So yeah. Speaker 1 Everyone's leaving here advertised. Yeah. You don't want to come? Speaker 2 Actually, I've been advertising it as the first ever student led and run country fair, so it sounds like it's not actually true. Speaker 3 Certainly it was. Marketing is right? Yeah. Speaker 1 Thing is, I don't know if it was Mr. Griffin as a principal who set this up or it was Mr. Griffin as a student that set this up. I could be totally wrong. I don't know which one it was. Okay, It's okay. I don't really need it to be tagged back to me. I'm just trying to make a make a really cool. Speaker 3 So that same thing like this, like student entrepreneurs. Speaker 1 So I don't think it was I don't think it was as like grand, I guess, as we're making it meaning. And by and by that I'm saying like organizations, what I don't think organizations are getting involved. I think it was just if you sell, if you know how to sell something, bring it in, bring it in to sell at the event. Speaker 1 So we're kind of just branching out a little bit more to make it more benefit. Speaker 2 Like back when Black Smith was popular. Oh. Speaker 1 I have no idea with who blackness. Speaker 2 Like, they. Speaker 3 Demurred. Oh. Oh, so it was like a bird. I would have like a band. Speaker 1 I'm like, Oh, yeah. So that's why I'm like, I actually don't know what you're talking about, but like, Oh, wait, you're talking about actual black people. Speaker 3 People tiny little. Speaker 2 So so let's go back to your your thoughts. How did this come about? Speaker 1 So to give her credit, it was actually my mom who brought this up. So moms of the world, because you guys are full of ideas. No, I, I was talking to her during Christmas and we were just explaining how, you know, there are so many students. And I go to her all the time and I, I just, like, rave about people that are just like are amazing in our community. Speaker 1 We have incredible artists like a friend of mine, like literally in sophomore year sold in like a piece of her art for $20,000 at Houston Rodeo. So like, you know, it was it's incredible like the the the talent. Speaker 2 The talent for. Speaker 1 Sure you're in Friendswood and what's cool about it is, is the way Friendswood works is when you find what you can do, start building on that, keep progressively building on it in our our teachers and our administration helps with that. But I was explaining to my mom, you know, there's a lot of people in Friendswood that really could like, you know, benefit from an event and everything. Speaker 1 Actually, not that last part I was just saying our students can benefit like, you know, like if they were able to go out there and show, show what they can do, like I can. But then my mom was like, you know what? Let's have something. Let's do something. Where something like a nutcracker market, because at a Nutcracker market, you just pay for like a table and then you get to sell to thousands of people that show up. Speaker 1 So we we kind of had she kind of gave me that idea. She didn't kind of she did give me her idea. And I just talked about it with at first my graphic design teacher, Ms.. Browning, from last year. And then we talked to Ms.. Kirkpatrick, who was our administration administrator when it came to working with this. And then we actually the idea was born. Speaker 1 We were able to go to the Chamber of Commerce and do a bunch of things with that. Speaker 2 So is it like the Nutcracker market in that a certain percentage from each group goes towards? Speaker 1 So that's the thing about it. So when it comes to originally, our plan was, yes, you'd have to pay to get in. But when it comes down to it, like this is the whole point of entrepreneurship. It's a you're going to fail, you're going to fail. You're not you're not going to make sales every so often. So in case you don't make sales, are sponsor or title sponsor. Speaker 1 Elite care paid for that. So any individual student entrepreneur that would like to be a part of this event gets to be in for free because our elite elite care was able to pay for that, which I'm very grateful. Speaker 2 So that all the money goes back to those individual groups or like. Speaker 1 So how that's going to work is when it comes down to it, every single student, entrepreneur or individual who decides to come to this event and sell what they can do, whether if you make no money you'll like, you're not going to get any money. But if you make money, you get to keep all the profits. So, you know, all right. Speaker 1 So no matter what happens, every single student gets to be a part of it. If you do make money, there is nothing. We're not going to take any profits from you at all. That's the point of having this title sponsor. I kind of wish we pushed that out a little bit more to our students, but at this point, we have a good amount of students. Speaker 2 Here to be part of. And do you have a way to collect what everyone made at the end? So then you can. No. Speaker 1 No. So when it comes to when it comes to determining how much money was created, we are here honestly, just to provide the event, just provide like we said in our like our fliers, we're just trying to provide a platform for our students. That's it. So when it comes to me, I just have to get them to sign up and then it's out of my hands like, like when it's actually out of all of our hands. Speaker 1 It's just depends on what you can do, what you plan to bring. So when it came to advertising to our students, they seem to understand the message. And I've seen the art that they've been doing. It's incredible. Speaker 2 So awesome. That's exciting. That will be exciting to see for sure. HAVE So I would imagine this has come with its fair share of challenges. Speaker 1 Yes. Speaker 2 So talk us through that. What have been some challenges that you've run into that you've thought this? Has anything become overwhelming? Speaker 1 So when it came down to it, like even these like past many weeks, like it's about the planning side of it, you know, because we need people, we need we need that empowerment in our community, specifically in our students. Because our students, you have everything you need. You just need to be empowered and motivated to be a part of this event. Speaker 1 And honestly, when it came down to it, when it came to advertising this event or even just trying to get students on board, I'm trying to like we are trying to literally, like have it right where you need it. So anything that you need will bring for you. Just be a part of the event like anything that you can do. Speaker 1 Like if you can, if you believe that this thing that you can provide to this event, it's an A great it's an a great an ability or a great business to have come bring it to the event and we'll provide everything for you. We just need you to be a part of it. Just fill the space first. Speaker 2 Has that been a challenge? Is actually getting people to participate? Speaker 1 Yes. So that's probably one of the probably the biggest thing is sorry, one of the biggest challenges that we've had. Speaker 2 And I would imagine for an age group especially, you had mentioned junior high kids to put their talents on the line. I mean, there are adults that don't ever take that job to be able to do that. That's hard. That's hard to do. But, you know, it becomes easier and easier. And if kids see some success with money and, you know, things like that, I would think that this would just grow and grow. Speaker 1 So it it really has like when it when it came down to it for me, like I was in it for the money in eighth grade, I was just like I was I didn't really care about woodworking much. I really just wanted to get money because I was bored and I wanted to buy a I don't even know what I want to do, but I just wanted to buy something fun to like occupy myself. Speaker 1 But no, Eventually, as I kept going on and I'm like, You know what? This is incredible ability and skill to keep growing on as they grow older. And that's also what my parents were encouraging me to do. So it's really cool. And honestly, that's the same thing with these students. If you keep growing on this ability, you'll grow. Speaker 1 It'll grow into something that you eventually might be able to use in your life later. Speaker 2 And I'm sure I would imagine you're getting to see the power of the community, power of collaboration, of people coming together like this for you, having to set this up by yourself completely and having no one helping you, and then thinking about pulling this off with a group of people, you know? Speaker 3 Yeah. And we I mean, we know what all goes into planning an event, especially like at a school. So I'm like, it's a lot of work and most people who show a lot of work, no idea all of the little details that. Speaker 1 It really is like it's the behind the scenes out of this is there is a lot of work that's going into this. I mean it's not I mean, like I'm pretty sure I haven't seen all the behind the scenes I've seen just sorry, sir. But that, you know, when it comes down to it, like there's a lot of behind the scenes work that's going into this. Speaker 1 I mean, when you when my friends are seeing me, like, you know, they'll see like, hey, leave it how you do. I'm like, I'm doing good. I'm just I'm just I'm just living at this point. I'm just trying to, you know, make this event as big as it possibly can get. And really, we just need that empowerment for our students because our students are empowered to do this. Speaker 1 Then honestly, there is no behind the work scenes for us. We just need you to be a part of it. Speaker 2 Well, you're just learning. There's it's, you know, something like an endeavor this size. It's not you have the idea, but it takes a group of people to pull it off and make it successful. And listen, they're going to be things that happen on Saturday that you never dreamed of and that you haven't prepared for it. That's okay. That's that's what happens. Speaker 2 Then the next time you do it, then you're even more prepared for, you know, X, Y and Z. So that's just all part of it. So, you know, I love I love that saying of the secret is there's no secret. You've got to just do you've literally just got to jump in and start. Speaker 1 And honestly, when it comes down to that, what you were saying, like, you know, you just need to throw yourself out there. One of the things that like a close person of mine always says to me, like, if you aim at nothing, you're not going to hit anything at all. So like, it really, you just need to throw yourself out there and see what you can do. Speaker 1 You need to literally like like you like, like I talked to everybody about it really is just about that communication aspect of you need to realize you can do this, help, help have other people help communicate with you that you can do this, you can do this than just throw stuff out there, see what you can do. Speaker 2 And, you know, maybe groups do this, but you're you're making me kind of realize, you know, we put on so many programs and events and, you know, teachers need to start thinking about having their students prepare and run those events. If it's a. Speaker 3 Great learning experience. Speaker 2 Christmas program, the kids should be planning it. Yeah, doing the graphic design for it, advertising it, market it, and then, you know, they kind of realize the entrepreneurship side. Speaker 3 Well, and they're more invested in it. And so it's something you're more invested in and have a personal attachment to. You're more likely to like. It's going to be important to you, it's going to be better. You're going to show up, other people are going to show up. Speaker 2 So we're preparing kids, kids, students for jobs that they're not even aware. Speaker 3 Of, 100%. Speaker 2 Better to prepare them than to expose them to all these different jobs that they'd be like, Yes, I loved the marketing side of this or I loved the building out the sets part of this. I would love to do that for a living or whatever. The the engineering of the technology, whatever that is. Speaker 3 Yeah, because you may not even know you have a skill until you've had it put to the test and actually gotten your hands on it and tested that out. So and. Speaker 1 And that's the thing because when it comes to this event, like that's, that's exactly what we're trying to bring out like because when it comes down to it, students need to realize that you guys should be the ones that are leading this. You got like, for example, me, like I'm leading this event because I want other students to join on, pick up and be like, You know what? Speaker 1 We can do this too. Let's start leading this event. Let's start planning this event. Yeah, I mean, when it came like one of the organizations I'm a part of panels, I mean, powerhouses. We're currently planning on having face painting at the event. And when it comes to face painting, all these students are going to literally come to the event and just start painting like they help paint the students faces, kids faces, because we're trying to have that fun aspect of this community fair, which I'm really excited about. Speaker 1 But, you know, we really need the whole point of that is, is if you have other people coming here and be like, you know what this is? This is what they do, I'm like, you know, I would love to I love to be a part of panels like have that community because like, really it's it's the support of my friends in panels that are like, you know what, let's let's jump on this. Speaker 1 Let's do this. So I'm like, you know, it's a really cool event to. Speaker 2 Have, so. Oh, it's wonderful. I do want to have you maybe reach out to. I know Ms.. Kirkpatrick's working. She's you're like your partner, right? She's one of the main adults involved in this. I do think you need to walk away with knowing an amount of money that you've raised. I think you will regret not knowing that you raised $20,000, $8,000, 50,000. Speaker 2 I mean, listen, it's your first one night. Who knows what can happen? But I do think that is something that you need to create a sheet, even if it's a simple, hey, everybody needs to report by this date, the amount of money that you brought in just to know. Speaker 3 Isn't just back to like from the participants. Like, what did you think? What can be better next year using that kind of feedback as well? Even like making sure you get a tally of your attendance throughout the day to just so that you have a measurable baseline thing to go off of for years to come. As this grows and grows to be like, This is where we started, this is where we are. Speaker 2 Now to even set goals. We started with this many kids participating and now we have this many. And all of those details are super important. Important. Don't want to overwhelm you with that right now, but I'm. Speaker 1 Sure it's a great idea. Yeah, I mean, it's really we're just trying to see the progression over the years because you have no idea how many times like I've heard this is just the first year. It don't don't worry as much as you are. I'm like, You know what? You're right. It is the first year, but I would like to I would like to start off high and just build on from there. Speaker 1 I mean, if we start off low, then it's like, you know, obviously we'll make a lot of progress over the years. But if we just bring on that expectation, that high expectation of ourselves and we build it too, that people can keep going on and on and progressively get better as we go along. Speaker 2 Well, LeVar, I've been in this district for 20 years, and you're the first that I've heard of having this country. But the fact that you had the idea and that you're getting it to this point, that is success in itself. Yes, it really is. So, you know, all those other things are just bonuses to what will come, but you'll want to know those things. Speaker 2 But just the fact that you're actually hosting this and you're pulling this off huge success. Speaker 1 Thank you. I really. Speaker 3 Appreciate it. I expect when you come back, since you are a founding father, that you will be in a white powder way. Yes. Okay. Speaker 1 Yes. Yes. Speaker 2 I don't think that Jericho is any better than my black A joke. Speaker 1 No, I think you're equally pretty good. I think it was pretty cute. Yes. Speaker 2 I'm just kidding. Speaker 3 You saw the light? Is it the. Speaker 1 I'll have wigs there just in case. Speaker 3 Oh, that's great. I'll be. Speaker 1 Walking around like George Washington as a as this phrase running. Speaker 3 Getting the history of the country. They want this. Speaker 2 Lunch. So let's say there were other students out there hearing about this and, you know, thinking, I wonder if I could do that someday. What advice would you give to anyone your age, young or even older? It doesn't matter. What advice would you give about, you know, when you kind of have this idea in your head? Because, see, here's another thing. Speaker 2 Your mom gave you an idea, You heard the idea and you liked it. But there was something in you like, I've got to bring this to life. Right? So what what advice would you give? Speaker 1 I mean, honestly, when it comes down, like I literally started a business when it came to having a platform or having the opportunity to bring about an idea that was a really great idea that actually would work. I mean, both ideas, both the woodworking shop was my mom's idea in this country fair of my mom helped bring this up. Speaker 1 So when it comes down to it. Speaker 2 You listen to your mom. Yes, That's rule number one. Let me just you sat right now. Okay. Sorry. And then what? What's the advice? Speaker 1 So tell us, pursue opportunities that no matter what I mean, once again, you aim at nothing. You're you're not going to hit anything at all. You need to try new things. For example, for me, I knew like just weren't friends were like Mr. Griffen says, we're in the number one high school in the nation. You know, it is true because our students here are incredible. Speaker 1 You know, like when freshman year I had to look different, so I wanted to look well-rounded. I did many different things. I pursued different opportunities. I pursued choir, I pursued theater, I pursued graph design, which I never thought I would be doing. And in the end, it's actually leading to something that is incredible for my future life. Like, I would like to do architecture when I grow up. Speaker 1 And it's a design. It's a design factor, it's a creativity factor. So if you pursue these opportunities now, you never know what's going to happen in the future. And honestly, truly, it really could end up being something you do in the future. Speaker 2 And you know, when they're looking at resumes, I don't know how in the world they tell resumes apart from other resumes, you know, it's like, goodness gracious, they probably all look the same. But look at look at and forget honestly, forget the resumes for just a second because that is an important part of it. But the skills you have learned just doing this sort of thing. Speaker 2 Yeah. I mean, it's incredible. It really is. It's great. Speaker 1 Yes. It really like when it comes to the skills I've been able to create over the years, I mean, really, I think the biggest one, not just the the physical side of it where I'm actually building products. No, it really is. This is design. This is creativity. I mean, I never like my mom's a photographer and like, she'll always ask the advice of like my older sister, who is also an artist because like, she's like, Hey, what should I do to this? Speaker 1 What should I do to make it better? And to be honest, I never had that. But now it's come to a point where I can actually judge like photos based on how like the design fact of the creativity factor, I can see whether or not this photo needs to be edited to this amount or this amount. You know, it's it really is. Speaker 1 This design factor is the biggest thing I've ever gotten from woodworking. Speaker 2 And. Go ahead. Speaker 3 Well, just that question alone, like, what can I do to make this better? Like that question alone is. Speaker 2 That's a. Speaker 3 Skill. It's a skill to be able to like, take that feedback and then to use it and just kind of be in a constant pursuit of like bettering your size. Yeah, that's such a huge thing too. Speaker 1 And honestly, that that's probably been the thing that I've needed the most patience for over the years. Just because, like when you have to realize that you, this product, it's great, it's not perfect, but it's great. And you what are the things that you can do to make it better? Those words are probably one of the hardest words you're probably in here in life because it's like, What can I do to make it better? Speaker 1 I already think it's perfect. You know what? There are things that you can do to get better. And even with this fair, this fair isn't the best fair it's going to be. We're going to grow over the years. And I have to take that. I have to take that like this first year and be like, what can we do to make it better? Speaker 1 Over the years? Obviously, we'll have another student be doing it, but at the same time, it's progress. It's a progressive thing that grows. Speaker 2 Look at the opportunities now. You've given other students that they would have not had without bringing this country fair forward. So what is I mean, you don't know what you don't know, but what is something that you have learned that you need to get better at? Speaker 1 So honestly, I think like all high school high school students, especially senior Archie seniors, probably should know this by now. But I'm hybrid time management. Time management is a thing that you need to realize. Like, you know, we like when I get home, I have around 6 hours to when I get home and when I would prefer to go to bed. Speaker 1 So really you need to realize how are you going to cut out these times to work on specific things? For me, I'm a procrastinator. I'm the world class procrastinator and I would prefer not. To me, that's why I'm trying to work on time management, how I how I can benefit from using this time to better myself, better the people around me. Speaker 1 And, you know, it's really a really work out in the end. Speaker 2 When one of the benefits of you probably you found working with an adult is an adult tends to do that better. Speaker 1 Yes. Speaker 2 And so they can help you. And that's something to learn also is when you get a partner or, you know, in work in business like Kelsey and I, I have I we have strengths and weaknesses that, you know, we kind of depend on each other for. And and you now been exposed to how to manage your time better. Speaker 2 So now in the future you have a choice. You can learn from that and do better with that or, you know, just kind of say most people are procrastinators, right? But the stress that it takes off of you by not waiting till the last minute, you know, it's kind of. Speaker 1 You know, honestly, even with this fear, like the students are going to be a part of it. I think what I hope for them, if anyone, any of them are listening, I want them to realize use this time. Now we're on for the today is Friday Saturday dedicated data work to dedicate a day to you know, benefit what you're going to bring to this fair. Speaker 1 For me, honestly, I've been working so hard in the fair that have actually like, I've been like, slacking off when it came to my own business. So this this weekend, I'm not kidding. My family is going on a little get together, like in I think it was Dallas. I'm staying behind because I need to work. I need to get things done. Speaker 1 I'm not saying you should ditch your family. So what I'm saying, I am saying, though, is you need to dedicate time and just dedicated. Don't let anything change it. And really, you know, I hope I'll benefit from this. Speaker 3 Weekend when the sacrifices have to be made. We want to sacrifice something, whether it's your time, your money, your energy, whatever. Like whatever is important to you, you're going to have to sacrifice something in order to put your best foot forward with that. So that's just life. Yeah. Speaker 1 Yes. Honestly, something to add on to something to add on to the fact that you need to listen to your mom is my mom said to me, like during summertime, like, which was really I just wanted to be free. I wanted to be like, you know what? It's my senior summer before I go to college. I'd prefer not to know like senior summer before senior year, I prefer not to work. Speaker 1 So I decided not to would work at all. And my mom told me, Levi, you might get a little bit like at the time. I get a little hard for you over the next couple of months, so you probably should work on it now. I didn't listen and now I'm doing it. I'm doing things at the last second. Speaker 1 But, you know, at the same time, no matter what, you need to find the time to do things. You need to, you know, take out time to do things. It's really important. Speaker 2 Absolutely. So any shoutouts or thank you's that you would like to give to anyone? Speaker 1 Yes, absolutely. So first, I would like to shout out our title sponsor, Alec here. Alec here has done so much for us when it comes to providing the the services and the needs that we need in to give a little bit of back story to it. Once again, every single student and student entrepreneur at this event got paid for by elite care. Speaker 1 And then even the money we're using from the sponsorship we received, we are putting it towards like putting it back into the event or making it like we got balloon garlands for the event or we bought a balloon or we got a balloon service to come to the event. So just to add on a little bit more like a cherry on top, you know, just to have that like fun factor for the event. Speaker 1 So we're trying to put that back into the event. And Lee Care made that happen. A couple them promotions. They're the ones that got our yard signs in our banners out and we very much appreciate them. I took the time out during sixth and seventh period of these past couple of weeks to put out, I think around ten yard signs per school and put our banner up and everything like that. Speaker 1 I would like to thank our administration that helped us. Kirkpatrick has been my partner in crime when it came to working this out, and I thank you for their patience because I've been like stressing, I've been obsessing over the most ridiculous issues. So the fact that they were able to pull this together is amazing. And finally, I would like to thank my family because, you know, honestly, like even my my older sister, she's just left for Baylor and like, you know, my two younger siblings, they kind of they're not relying on me, but it's like I try to hold everything together with them. Speaker 1 And I kind of had to step away from that for a little bit for this fair. So I really appreciate their time and the patience for with me. Speaker 2 So that's so sweet. Levi I think that's sweet that you're thinking of your family and seeing that, you know, what's fun about this and I hope that you can see is in general, the community wants our kids to succeed. Speaker 3 Yes. Speaker 2 Right. And whenever you reach out and say, hey, I have a great idea, I need help, people will be shocked at the people that come out to say, we love you and we want to support you. And, you know, we're kind of and you'll see it you'll see it next Saturday whenever people show up in come and support you. Speaker 1 So too. Can I add one more. Speaker 2 Thing, please? Speaker 1 So when it comes just for people that are listening, I would love to say that we are going to be having to not just our our students and our FFA providing a petting zoo. We will have a many different organizations, including our very own together group that is going to have their teacher there. We teach our stable there. Speaker 1 We will have our Wrangler Reds providing dance lessons for the top of the top of hour for 20 minutes, having dance lessons for all the little kids that are going to be there. We will have also we will have our yearbook team that has professional cameras. They will be taking a family portrait, not family portraits, but yes, family portraits. Speaker 1 And they will have all sorts of rates and everything like that. They'll be small, but we would love for everybody to come out and check it out. So that's. Speaker 2 Awesome. All of those things, then all of those things sound really great. It sounds like perfect family fun way. Speaker 1 Way more than that. So you guys should definitely come out good. Speaker 2 Time, think it's going to be fall ish weather. Speaker 3 So we're hoping that that's. Speaker 1 What we're hoping for. Yeah, I guess the weather did show up for that. We're about a week out now. Yeah. Speaker 2 Yeah. I think Monday it's going to be at the highs. Going to go to the fifties. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 Tuesday, Wednesday, fifties and then I think up a little bit sixties for the rest of the week. So that would be cool. Yeah, for sure. Awesome. Levi, where do you see yourself next year in a year or so? Speaker 1 Next year? I would like to say that I would like to be into let's. Speaker 2 Say let's. Speaker 1 Say I am going to be at Texas A&M University for the architecture school. I have been waiting for a response, but I do believe that, God willing, I'll be able to go there. And if not, then I actually have no idea where else I would go. But I am still determining where I would be. But A&M is my top choice. Speaker 2 Well, I have to say, Lord, I thank you in advance for. Speaker 3 Yeah, yeah. I'd like to think you have is shaking his head. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Speaker 1 He's always going to believe me. Yes. Speaker 2 Yes. Okay, that's good. So you'll be in architecture at Texas A&M in a year. What about five years? Speaker 1 Five years? I would like to be at The Graduate. Yeah, I would like to be, hopefully at the graduate program A&M and still pursuing this design factor in architecture. Speaker 2 Awesome. That's great. Yeah, I so I love to listen to Malcolm Gladwell listening to it this morning. Revisionist History podcast. And he was talking to an author, Adam Grant, who wrote Unlocking Hidden Potential. And they were talking about and I thought it was just great for this podcast. He said, You don't want to define your success by meeting your goals. Speaker 2 You should define your success by living your values. So if you have a career target, you want to hit and it causes you to compromise your principles. That's not success. That's that's failure, complete failure. So maybe we spend more time talking about our values instead of our goals, right? So it made me think, what if every time we set a goal, we had to also add the caveat of if it was considered successful or not by how we measured the the genuine connections we made with people while setting that goal. Speaker 1 That's awesome. Speaker 2 Because that's a big part of. Speaker 3 Goals, right? Speaker 2 Should be. I mean, just because you meet a goal of this, think about the connections, just the relationships, the networking, the connections those that you have made because you took a risk and you said, this is something I want to do. It sounds scary. I don't even know if I can do it, but Let's do it. I think you're going to look back and be more proud of the connections and the networking. Speaker 3 That's what matters. Speaker 2 That really matters. Yes. You've developed skills, but it's those people that have kind of stepped up around you. And anyway, I just kind of thought about that and I thought that's perfect. Speaker 3 Great. Speaker 1 I mean, truly, it was like now, I mean, a lot of people even just know my name, like when it comes to I mean, like I've had many people walk up to me, it's like, hey, leave. I'm like, Who are you anyway? You know, it's like, you know, but it's like, it's really cool. The fact that I've been able to throw my name out there, just throw this idea out there and it really is tag events, tag to my name. Speaker 1 And I think it's really cool. I've had people from just younger students to even like, you know, senior citizens that even will personally email me and ask ask questions about it and just want to support this event. So I, I find it really incredible the connections I've made over the past many months. Speaker 2 I love it. So if you're out if you're listening to this podcast right now, it's November 4th, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Friends would high school have so many different student groups and organizations? Bring your kids, bring your families, bring your grandparents. Everybody is going to love to participate in this country. FAIR Yeah. And anything else you want to say? Speaker 1 Come, just come help support our friends with students and we're excited for everyone to be there. Speaker 2 Awesome. Great. Thank you so much for coming today. Speaker 1 Thank you so much for having me on. Speaker 2 It's.