How Community, Confidence, and Curiosity Shape Success

How Community, Confidence, and Curiosity Shape Success

In this inspiring episode of We Are All Awesome Show, powered by WiddyUP, recent high school graduate Emerson Hawkins shares how a lifelong curiosity for understanding how things work led her from robotics competitions and NASA engineering programs to a future in biomedical science. Emerson reflects on seven years with the Jackson Hole RoboBroncs robotics team, the power of mentorship, and how following her passions helped shape her confidence, leadership skills, and vision for the future. The conversation also explores personal growth, resilience, and the importance of building a community that supports your authentic self. Emerson opens up about navigating challenges during high school, staying true to her interests despite social pressures, and her mission to advance women's health research. As she prepares to study Biomedical Sciences at the University of Melbourne, she shares valuable lessons for young people about self-determination, purpose, and creating a life aligned with their values. Key Takeaways: * Stay passionate about what you love, even when it feels different from what others are doing. * Strong communities and authentic relationships help you overcome challenges and grow with confidence. * Your curiosity, dedication, and willingness to stay true to yourself can create opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the world. #WeAreAllAwesomeShow#WiddyUP#Podcast#PodcastLife#PodcastEpisode#Leadership#PersonalGrowth#StudentSuccess#Robotics#STEM#Engineering#BiomedicalScience#WomenInSTEM#WomenInScience#Innovation#NASA#FutureLeaders#Authenticity#StayPassionate#CommunityMatters#Confidence#Resilience#GrowthMindset#YouthLeadership#Inspiration  Find The We Are All Awesome Show on: * Website [https://www.widdyup.com/] * Youtube  [https://www.youtube.com/@widdyup6055] * Apple [https://www.apple.com/] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] 🎯 Ready to Find Your WiddyUP? At WiddyUP, we believe everyone has something that makes them…them. Whether you're an athlete, musician, student, leader, dreamer, or tinkerer, we help you showcase your things in life, connect with relevant opportunities, and fuel your journey. 🔥   👉 Join the movement and discover what drives you! Visit WiddyUP 🚀 #FindYourWiddyUP Links: * Website: WiddyUP [https://www.widdyup.com/] * Instagram: WiddyUP [https://www.instagram.com/widdyup/]

49. The Power of Taking the Chance Nobody Else Will

What happens when talent meets courage, discipline, and opportunity? In this inspiring episode of We Are All Awesome Show, powered by WiddyUP, host Carter Higley sits down with the Four Tuscan Troubadours, Malachi Bowes II, Ezell Carey, Gabe, and Alex, students from the renowned Duke Ellington School of the Arts. The group shares their journey from passionate young performers to earning the opportunity to study and perform in Tuscany, Italy, where they will deepen their vocal training and immerse themselves in the birthplace of classical music. The conversation explores the realities of pursuing excellence in the arts, balancing demanding schedules, overcoming self-doubt, and taking chances before feeling ready. From audition stories and career aspirations to lessons on confidence, perseverance, and personal growth, these young artists offer wisdom far beyond their years. Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, creative, or parent, this episode is a reminder that passion grows when you commit to it. Opportunities often begin with a single leap of faith. 🔥 Key Takeaways Be your own motivator. Your future depends on the actions you take today. Take the chance, even when you doubt yourself. Opportunities often come from simply showing up. Stop comparing your journey to others. Focus on your growth and trust your path. #WeAreAllAwesomeShow #WiddyUP #Podcast #PodcastEpisode #PodcastLife #PodcastCommunity #Inspiration #Motivation #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Mindset #SuccessMindset #TakeTheChance #BelieveInYourself #SelfMotivation #ArtsEducation #YoungArtists #ClassicalMusic #Opera #VocalPerformance #MusicEducation #PerformingArts #StudentSuccess #FutureLeaders #CreativeJourney #Tuscany #ItalyExperience #DukeEllingtonSchoolOfTheArts #FourTuscanTroubadours #MakeItCount Find The We Are All Awesome Show on: * Website [https://www.widdyup.com/] * Youtube  [https://www.youtube.com/@widdyup6055] * Apple [https://www.apple.com/] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] 🎯 Ready to Find Your WiddyUP? At WiddyUP, we believe everyone has something that makes them…them. Whether you're an athlete, musician, student, leader, dreamer, or tinkerer, we help you showcase what you do in life, connect with relevant opportunities, and fuel your journey. 🔥 👉 Join the movement and discover what drives you! Visit WiddyUP 🚀 #FindYourWiddyUP Links: * Website: WiddyUP [https://www.widdyup.com/] * Instagram: WiddyUP [https://www.instagram.com/widdyup/]

48. From Parking Lots to a Real Skatepark

In this inspiring episode of the We Are All Awesome Show powered by WiddyUP, host Carter Higley sits down with high school sophomore Atticus Lavelle to discuss how a lack of safe skating spaces in Ennis, Montana, sparked a youth-led movement. What began as conversations around a dining room table turned into public presentations, fundraising events, marketing campaigns, and nearly $300,000 raised toward building a community skate park. Atticus shares his passion for skateboarding, skiing, creativity, and how stepping outside his comfort zone helped him grow into a confident young leader. This episode explores much more than skateboarding. Carter and Atticus dive into topics such as public speaking, overcoming the fear of failure, community engagement, youth entrepreneurship, and building a future around passion and purpose. With support from local families, Montana State University students, and Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament, Atticus learned that young people can create real change when they stop waiting for permission and start taking action. This conversation is packed with inspiration for students, parents, educators, and anyone interested in leadership, creativity, and community-driven projects. 🔥 Key Takeaways Ideas become reality when you take action: A simple conversation at home grew into a community-backed skate park project with major fundraising success. Confidence grows through failure and experience: Atticus shares how skateboarding, public speaking, and putting himself out there helped him stop fearing judgment. Passion should guide your future: From skiing to teaching kids, Atticus explains why meaningful work matters more than chasing money alone. #WeAreAllAwesomeShow #WiddyUP#CarterHigley#AtticusLavelle #Skatepark #Skateboarding #YouthLeadership #CommunityImpact #Montana #TeenEntrepreneur #PublicSpeaking #Fundraising #SkateCulture #StudentSuccess #CreativeYouth #DreamBig #BuildSomething #Leadership #YouthEmpowerment #SmallTownBigDreams #PurposeDriven #Inspiration #Podcast #PodcastEpisode #SelfGrowth #ActionTakers #CommunityBuilding #SkateLife #FollowYourPassion #Motivation #GenZCreators  Find The We Are All Awesome Show on: * Website [https://www.widdyup.com/] * Youtube  [https://www.youtube.com/@widdyup6055] * Apple [https://www.apple.com/] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] 🎯 Ready to Find Your WiddyUP? At WiddyUP, we believe everyone has something that makes them…them. Whether you're an athlete, musician, student, leader, dreamer, or tinkerer, we help you showcase your things in life, connect with relevant opportunities, and fuel your journey. 🔥   👉 Join the movement and discover what drives you! Visit WiddyUP 🚀 #FindYourWiddyUP Links: * Website: WiddyUP [https://www.widdyup.com/] * Instagram: WiddyUP [https://www.instagram.com/widdyup/]

47. You Don’t Need a Perfect GPA to Get In

In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode of the We Are All Awesome Show, hosts Carter Higley and Coach Randy sit down with high school senior Eugene Spankie Higley to cut through the noise of the college application process. From balancing 15+ hours a week as a competitive swimmer to rebuilding a ceramics portfolio under deadline pressure, Eugene shares what it’s really like to apply to college without a perfect GPA, and why authenticity, curiosity, and persistence matter more than check-the-box metrics. This conversation dives into college fit, holistic admissions, and how students can stand out through essays, extracurriculars, and personal stories that go beyond test scores. Listeners will gain real-world insight into navigating the Common App, FAFSA, CSS Profile, athletic recruitment, and the emotional highs and lows of acceptances and rejections. Eugene opens up about refining his essays after a denial, leveraging passions like art, faith-based leadership, and environmental curiosity, and why smaller colleges with strong faculty relationships changed his outlook. Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking clarity, confidence, and strategy in the college journey, without chasing perfection. 🔥 Key Takeaways College fit beats perfect stats: Schools look at the whole student: passions, leadership, essays, and resilience matter as much as GPA and test scores. Rejection isn’t the end; it’s feedback: Use denials to refine essays, portfolios, and applications, and don’t be afraid to recalibrate or appeal. Start early and tell your real story: Strong essays, meaningful extracurriculars, and understanding financial aid (FAFSA & CSS) can change outcomes dramatically. #CollegeJourney#CollegeBound#AdmissionsAdvice#CollegePlanning#ApplyingToCollege#CollegeTips#AdmissionsSeason#DreamSchool#CollegeDecisions#HighSchoolLife#StudentMindset#GrowthOverGrades#BeyondTheGPA#ResilientStudents#AuthenticEducation#PurposeDriven#StudentAthlete#SwimmerLife#AthleticRecruiting#ExtracurricularsMatter#LeadershipInSports#AthletesInSchool#ArtPortfolio#CreativeStudents#HolisticEducation#MoreThanGrades#PassionProjects#FindYourWhy   Find The We Are All Awesome Show on: * Website [https://www.widdyup.com/] * Youtube  [https://www.youtube.com/@widdyup6055] * Apple [https://www.apple.com/] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] 🎯 Ready to Find Your WiddyUP? At WiddyUP, we believe everyone has something that makes them…them. Whether you're an athlete, musician, student, leader, dreamer, or tinkerer, we help you showcase your things in life, connect with relevant opportunities, and fuel your journey. 🔥   👉 Join the movement and discover what drives you! Visit WiddyUP 🚀 #FindYourWiddyUP Links: * Website: WiddyUP [https://www.widdyup.com/] * Instagram: WiddyUP [https://www.instagram.com/widdyup/]

46. The Truth About Getting Into College

In this insightful episode of the We Are All Awesome Show powered by WiddyUP, hosts Carter Higley and Coach Randy Narciso sit down with high school senior Finna Halsey for a real, unfiltered look at the college application journey. From navigating the Common App and supplemental essays to choosing liberal arts schools and defining “college fit,” Finna shares what it’s actually like to apply to college today. As a nationally competitive speech and debate leader with a 4.0 GPA, Finna breaks down how curiosity, consistency, and self-awareness shape a compelling college story. This conversation goes beyond applications, diving deep into financial aid, FAFSA, scholarships, and the power of open family conversations about money. Coach Randy delivers must-hear guidance on need-based vs. merit-based aid, while Finna offers practical advice for students and parents on starting early, staying organized, and reducing stress in the process. Whether you’re a student planning ahead or a parent supporting the journey, this episode is a roadmap to making confident, informed college decisions, without the overwhelm. 🔥 Key Takeaways College fit matters more than prestige: Align your interests, values, and goals with the right academic, social, and financial environment. Consistency wins in applications: Essays, recommendations, and activities should all reinforce the same core story. Don’t fear the sticker price:  Understanding financial aid, FAFSA timing, and scholarships can dramatically change what’s affordable.   #CollegeAdmissions#CollegeApplication#CollegeBound#HighSchoolSenior#CollegePlanning#ApplyingToCollege#CollegeTips#HighSchoolLife#FutureCollegeStudent#StudentSuccess#CollegeParents#PayingForCollege#FAFSA#Scholarships#FinancialAid#CollegeFit#CollegeEssays#StudentLeadership#AcademicSuccess#EducationMatters#WeAreAllAwesome#WiddyUP#AwesomeStudents#NextGenLeaders#YouTubeShorts#PodcastClips#StudentTok#EduTok Find The We Are All Awesome Show on: * Website [https://www.widdyup.com/] * Youtube  [https://www.youtube.com/@widdyup6055] * Apple [https://www.apple.com/] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/] 🎯 Ready to Find Your WiddyUP? At WiddyUP, we believe everyone has something that makes them…them. Whether you're an athlete, musician, student, leader, dreamer, or tinkerer, we help you showcase your things in life, connect with relevant opportunities, and fuel your journey. 🔥   👉 Join the movement and discover what drives you! Visit WiddyUP 🚀 #FindYourWiddyUP Links: * Website: WiddyUP [https://www.widdyup.com/] * Instagram: WiddyUP [https://www.instagram.com/widdyup/]