“Let it burn.”
It’s the Kids’ 38th day in Bonanza City and Mike can’t sleep. He’s up before the crack of dawn, walking the dark Town, reflecting upon his time in Bonanza City. Mike is stirred from his thoughts by the smell of smoke and when he walks around the corner to investigate, he makes a startling discovery: the Job Board is in flames! Mike quickly rouses the sleeping Towns Kids, racing from bunkhouse to bunkhouse, waking them with his shocking news. The Kids form a bucket brigade, filling every container they can find with water and running to throw it at the burning Job Board. Unable to find a spare bucket, Jared uses a tin cup in the hope that every little bit will help.

But despite their best efforts, the Kids are unable to douse the fire. As the Kids watch the Job Board collapse into rubble, they wonder how they’ll manage their final three days of pioneer living without it. DK yells out over the shrieking Towns Kids, “People use your brains. The Job Board is not the freakin’ Town!”

Jonathan arrives and explains that the fire was no accident. With just three days of pioneer living remaining, the Towns Kids will leave Bonanza City just as they entered it: the Kids still have a Town Council, but no set jobs, no Buffalo nickels and no Showdowns to compete in. The Towns Kids can choose to continue working as they have been, come up with new ways of running the Town, or can opt to do nothing at all. It’s all up to them.

And the Pioneer Journal that divided them into Districts? Jonathan tells the Kids that they can forget about it too. Mallory yells for Jonathan to burn the Journal, and after encouragement from the other Kids, Jonathan throws the Journal into the fire. Most of the Kids cheer the destruction of the Journal, but Anjay has mixed feelings, wondering just how long a Kid Nation can survive without law and order.

“We need to learn the hard way, sometimes.”
A few of the Kids see the destruction of the Job Board as an opportunity for them to prove themselves, but the rest of Towns Kids view it as an opportunity to raid the stores and saloon. In a matter of moments, the Kids go from grabbing a few handfuls of candy to engaging in a full-scale riot.

The Kids go wild: carting dozens of sodas back to their bunkhouses, gobbling up pounds of candy, throwing candy all over the street, and swiping every piece of merchandise from the Dry Goods Store. Even law-abiding, curfew-loving Olivia gets caught up in the anarchy, gleefully yelling, “We’ve all decided to go mad!” as she dashes back to the Blue Girls’ Bunkhouse with armload’s of sweets. Zach sadly looks on, wondering what has happened to the Kids of Bonanza City, “This is crazy.”

But the sugar-high doesn’t last for long. And after gloomily assessing the destruction that they’ve wreaked, the worn out Kids share a quiet dinner together in the Mess Hall. The four Council members take charge again, asking for the Kids’ help to clean up the mess they’ve all made. There’s still plenty of time to prove that they can work as a Town without the structure of the Job Board and Journal. DK tells everyone, “If we all pull together we can do this and make this work.”

The next morning, the Kids awaken to their trashed Town. Everyone now regrets their behavior the previous day and hopes to make their last two days in Bonanza City good ones. All of the Kids pitch in, and after many hours and much elbow grease, they’ve managed to clean up their mess. Michael reflects, “I think a lot of people were ashamed of what was done and we’re gonna focus on righting our wrongs now.”

“A very hard decision”
Later in the day, Jonathan calls the Kids to a field outside of Town. He explains that normally they would be competing in a Showdown for job classes and a shared reward. With no more jobs or classes anymore, there won’t be a Showdown today, but there will be a reward for one very special Pioneer: Jonathan opens a box to reveal the final $20,000 Gold Star. The Kids are all amazed, but even more surprised when the four Council members are asked to make the decision on the spot. They step aside to discuss their decision, and DK is in tears over how hard a decision it is to choose one last, deserving Kid.

The Council awards the last $20,000 Gold Star to Zach, who has worked hard for Bonanza City since day one. And as he accepts the golden trophy, Zach is at a loss for words, “This is just overwhelming to me.” Jonathan then sends the Kids back to Town, assuring them that there are many more surprises to come.

The Kids get ready for one final night of bonding with each other. And for the Yellow Girls, that means one thing: a sleepover in their bunkhouse with the Town chickens. Animal-lover Emilie wants to join in, but Taylor, Leila and Kelsey refuse to let her because she’s not a Yellow District girl. Emilie gets so upset that soon she’s screaming at the girls in the street. Migle rushes in and acts as a peacemaker, offering to share her Bunkhouse with Emilie for their last night. Emilie reflects, “Migle is kind of a big sister to me. When I get upset she helps me. I’m really going to miss Migle.” And the Town is again at peace as the Kids spend their last night together.

“Bonanza City, Bonanza!”
As Jonathan promised, there are even greater surprises to come on their last day in Bonanza City. Jonathan gathers the Kids and unveils three enormous Gold Stars worth $50,000 each. Three lucky Pioneers, two former Town Council members or Gold Star winners and one other Kid, may win the super-sized Gold Stars at the final Town Hall Meeting if the TownsKids work together to prepare the first Bonanza City Bonanza: a huge party to celebrate their 40 days together. The Kids will have just one hour to prepare spaghetti with tomato sauce, put together picnic tables, and bury the enormous pile of Town trash.

The Kids work together and are able to complete the three tasks within an hour, earning the three $50,000 Gold Stars. But before anyone can even contemplate whom the Stars will go to, the Kids are surprised by some very special guests… their parents. Kids and parents joyfully embrace each other for the first time in 40 days. As Zach’s dad tells his son, “I told you that this would be a test of your self-reliance and independence. But I was wrong. This was a test of our self-reliance and independence.” After showing the amazed adults around their Town and enjoying their final feast together, the Kids head to Town Hall for their final meeting.

“We’ve shown the world what we can actually do.”
The Town Hall is abuzz with excitement as the Kids and their parents gather for the final Bonanza City Town Hall Meeting. The four young Council Leaders nervously look out at the crowd, wondering how they will make the most difficult decisions of their lives: awarding the three $50,000 Gold Stars. The boys go outside to make their final deliberations, determined to pick the three Kids that represent the Town in the best way. And as they contemplate the extraordinary Kids of Bonanza City, they wish they had far more Gold Stars to give away. After much reflection, Michael, DK, Greg and Blaine return to their seats. But who will win the final three Gold Stars?

The Council awards the first $50,000 Gold Star to Sophia. Bonanza City’s part-time Sheriff and full-time cook gratefully accepts her second golden trophy, thanking the Council and other Kids, “I’m so flattered and appreciative that people my own age really looked and saw what I did. And it just makes me feel so good inside.” Sophia’s mom is so proud and she gives her daughter a big hug.

The Council then awards the second $50,000 Gold Star to another girl from the Green District–Morgan. As Morgan stands speechless in front of the Town Hall, Greg announces, “Morgan brought us together as a community. You know, there’s people that would be on different sides of the fence and Morgan kind of brought those two side together.” Morgan’s dad thanks the Council for honoring his daughter with the amazing prize and marvels at Greg’s maturity when the 15-year-old thanks him for allowing Morgan to be part of the Bonanza City community.

The Council then awards the final $50,000 Gold Star to the Kid that’s made the most improvement over the past 40 days; a girl who in the beginning was known for doing nothing, but in the end became a hard worker and friend to everyone–Migle. The TownsKids applaud as Migle tearfully accepts the large Gold Star and thanks the Council. The $50,000 will mean so much to her and her family. Migle’s parents proudly look on as she says, “Mom, dad…. This is for you!”

And then it’s time to say goodbye. Tears and hugs abound as the Kids bid farewell to each other and Bonanza City, the dusty ghost Town that they’ve come to know as home. And as the Kids reflect back upon the remarkable experiences they’ve shared over the past 40 days, they look forward to the future… hoping to use the lessons they’ve learned to make the world a better place. As Sophia says, “After spending 40 days with these incredible Kids, I have a lot more confidence about the future of this country and the world.” They all realize that they truly made a very special place…their own Kid Nation!

Courtesy of ©MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc

Share This

Alex - Gold Star Winner

What world leader do you admire?

Al Gore. I read the book ‘The Inconvenient Truth’ which helped me understand the importance of global warming. I admire the fact that Al Gore has committed himself to champion this worthy cause.

How would you change the world?

Have leaders who don’t want wars, just honest discussion and a willingness to give and take to create a world which is more equitable to all the people and the environment.

How would you change your neighborhood?

Have only friendly families who learn from each other and who cooperatively help each other out.

What have you learned about power?

Sometimes good leaders appear who are able to use power in a positive way. However, some people are corrupted by having power and abuse it.

Is power a good thing?

Not necessarily - it depends completely on who has the power and if he/ she has integrity and does not abuse his/ her power. You need to strike a balance between the people’s desires and the best thing overall for the country.

What makes a good leader?

Someone who has goals which are popular with his constituents, who is nice, intelligent, and well-liked.

Who have been some of the best U.S. presidents, and why?

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt. George Washington because he led the USA to independence, then insisted on not being a king, and insisted that he step down after his term and that his successor be elected by the people. He set an example for democracy for the rest of the world. Thomas Jefferson for writing the whole Constitution in ELEVEN days, a remarkable feat! Abraham Lincoln for outlawing slavery and keeping the country together while enforcing civil rights. FDR for bringing the country out of the Great Depression with the New Deal and helping millions of people regain their lives.

Who have been some of the worst U.S. presidents, and why?

George W. Bush, for leading us into a war without checking his facts first and for not having a clear plan prior to the invasion. He also suppressed anyone who wanted to question his decisions, which is against the American concept of free speech. William Harrison because he was too stupid to wear a coat at his inauguration speech, and caught pneumonia and died without doing anything in office.

When you become an adult, what do you think will be the biggest problem facing our nation and/or world?

Global warming.

If you had the power to change one or two things about our country right now, what would it be?

We would have a better, more competent president and have the U.S. sign the Kyoto Treaty.

If you could put into place one law that pertains to kids in our country, what would it be?

Everyone should have the opportunity to travel abroad to learn about other cultures.

Why are some people rich and others poor?

Because the world isn’t fair. Some people work hard or are smart and some are not. Some people have opportunities given to them, and some do not.

Do you believe global warming is a fact or a myth? If you think it is a fact, what would you do about it if you were in charge?

Fact. If you think it is a fact, what would you do about it if you were in charge? Have us sign the Kyoto Treaty and make special laws that go even beyond the Kyoto Treaty.

If you were in charge of immigration, would everyone be allowed to enter the country? Would illegal immigrants be allowed to stay?

No, just the people who would help us and have a clean criminal record. People with special skills, like advanced engineering degrees, would make the US more competitive and would not be a burden on our society. Also, one of the precepts of American society is to provide others with the opportunity of obtaining the American Dream, i.e. the Statue of Liberty welcomes others. Would illegal immigrants be allowed to stay? Just the people who would help our economy and who would not be a burden on society.

If you were in charge of education, would art class be as important as math?

Yes, because you need to develop your whole brain skills, the right as well as the left side of the brain.

Do you belong to any organizations or clubs?

I am a member of the Davidson Young Scholars Program and attend a gifted public school program.

If you could switch places with one person, who would it be and why?

It would be someone in high school so that I could study more advanced subjects.

What is your favorite quote?

“It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it.”

Do you have a favorite video game?

No.

List some of your favorite movies?

That’s Entertainment, Part 2, Singin’ in the Rain.

Do you have a favorite book?

The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques, The Power of Babel by John McWhorter, Cogno, The Legend Series by Stuart Montaldo, Nelly the Monster Sitter Series by Kes Gray, Animal Farm by George Orwell, and the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling.

What are your favorite colors?

Yellow ochre, burnt sienna, lime green, soft blue

What kind of music do you like?

’50’s to 80’s rock! Peter, Paul, and Mary, Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, The Cars, Enya.

What’s your favorite TV show?

Mythbusters, Planet Earth, Funniest Home Videos, the Food and Travel Channels.

Who are your favorite movie stars?

Gene Kelly and Ginger Rogers.

Do you have a favorite drink?

Lychee juice and chrysanthemum tea.

What is your favorite food?

Pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, bok choy, anise seed, and goat cheese (any kind).

What’s your favorite ice-cream flavor?

Coconut

What’s your favorite sports team?

The U.S. and the Norwegian Olympic Downhill Ski Teams.

Do you read comics? What are your favorites?

Yes. Calvin and Hobbes.

Where do you like to go on vacation?

Alaska and Hawaii.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

The Maldives, because I want to see them before they become flooded by global warming. I would like to see Tuvalu because it has a very low elevation, also. I also would like to see the Three Gorges in China, which was the subject of many famous landscape paintings, before it gets flooded by the Three Gorges Dam Project.

What’s your favorite subject in school?

Geography. (I wish they taught chemistry, linguistics and neuroscience.)

Do you have any kid role models? If so, who?

Unfortunately, I have not looked up to any kid role models these few years.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Donate all the money to charities helping improve living conditions in Third World countries.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A linguist, a chemist, a geographer, a neuroscientist, or possibly a teacher of one of those subjects.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I collect stuffed microbes (magnified 1 million times the real thing). I am also a pretty good skier.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A sophomore in college studying linguistics.

Share This

Hunter - Gold Star Winner!
Age 12
Georgia

What world leader do you admire?

Colin Powell.

How would you change the world?

I would have stricter laws on land, air, and water pollutants.

How would you change your neighborhood?

We have a pond in our neighborhood. I wish there was a public pier that I could fish off of. We have a lot of new children moving into our neighborhood. It would be nice if we had a children’s welcoming committee.

What have you learned about power?

If you use it in the right way, you can change the world.

Is power a good thing?

Power can be a good thing if it is placed in the right hands.

What makes a good leader?

Patience, mercy, and self- disciple are qualities that a good leaders needs to have.

Who have been some of the best U.S. presidents, and why?

I think Theodore Roosevelt was an innovative President because he helped establish National Forest Service and he helped create the Panama Canal.

Who have been some of the worst U.S. presidents, and why?

Bill Clinton was not a very good President because I don’t think he was a very good role model for the young people of our country.

When you become an adult, what do you think will be the biggest problem facing our nation and/or world?

I think one of the biggest problems facing our nation will be that there will not be enough land for everyone and too much pollution in the air.

If you had the power to change one or two things about our country right now, what would it be?

If I could change one thing about our nation I would have people treat each other with respect.

If you could put into place one law that pertains to kids in our country, what would it be?

If I could put one law into place that pertains to our country I would declare that all kids have to play outside for at least 2 hours everyday.

Why are some people rich and others poor?

I think there are many different ways to be rich other than your financial status. You can be rich in spirit with family and friends. God blesses us all but some people just don’t see how they are blessed.

Do you believe global warming is a fact or a myth? If you think it is a fact, what would you do about it if you were in charge?

I believe that global warming is happening but I do not believe that is all the fault of humans.

If you were in charge of immigration, would everyone be allowed to enter the country? Would illegal immigrants be allowed to stay?

I do not believe that everyone should be allowed in the country. I do not believe illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay.

If you were in charge of education, would art class be as important as math?

No, I think art is important but not as important as math.

If you could switch places with one person, who would it be and why?

If I could switch places with anyone, I would switch places with no one. I enjoy my life.

Do you think adults should listen more to kids? If so, why?

No, I think adults are doing fine. My parents respect my ideas and always have an ear tuned into what I am saying.

Is it possible for a 9-year-old to make a better leader than a 14-year-old? How so, or why not?

I think it is possible for a 9-year-old to be a better leader than a 14-year-old. It depends on the environment and the experiences that each one has had.

Should kids be allowed to vote?

No, because some kids don’t fully understand what is happening in the political world.

Do you have any kid role models? If so, who?

My friend who died at the age of 10 is a role model for me. Kelsey worked hard and never gave up fighting for a cure for cystic fibrosis. She raised a lot of money to fight her disease before she died.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

If I won the lottery I would give a lot to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. I would give a lot of it to my parents because they have helped me get to the point where I am. I would also like to buy my own private C-47.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a pilot for the armed services. I want to give back to my country.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I enjoy playing Nerf guns with my little brother.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see myself finishing my undergraduate degree in engineering at Georgia Tech.

Share This

Laurel, Gold Star Winner

.

===============================================================

THE TOWN COUNCIL’S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND RESPECT IN BONZANA CITY BACKFIRE, ON “KID NATION,” WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21

“Let Me Talk!” - When the Town Council’s efforts to improve communication and respect in Bonanza City backfire, one Pioneer is given an ultimatum, another makes the Town an offer that could affect his future there, and the Council issues a threat about the Gold Star, on KID NATION, Wednesday, Nov. 21 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

VISTA: Culture, history celebrated at Rancho Guajome Adobe North County Times, CA - 1 hour ago She said she found the fiesta listed as a "kid-friendly" weekend activity on a local Web site and decided to check it out. "It's good because the kids get …

Share This

Panel to debate growth strategies for Valley Arizona Republic, AZ - 56 minutes ago "When I was a kid, everybody smoked and nobody wore seat belts," said Robert E. Lang. "Change does happen." Lang is director of the Metropolitan Institute …

Share This

Let's adopt a humane approach to parenting Irish Independent, Ireland - 12 minutes ago It's time for our Government to wake up and consider humane, sane and fair choices for all our nation's citizens, especially its children, …

Share This

San Francisco Chronicle

Pelosi Brings Surprise Guest: Al Gore– Meat-Eating Carbon Machine … San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 11 minutes ago Ho-ho, we kid, we kid. Everybody knows Howard Dean invented the Internet. It's saying something about the power of the Netroots that one of Al's first stops …

Share This

Savings values of a bygone age must be reclaimed Sunday Business Post, Ireland - 9 minutes ago Now, one of the most interesting upshots of our boom/bust cycle may be the return of thrift and prudence as national virtues. When I was a child, …

Share This

Malaysia Star

Adding zing to Aang Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 16 minutes ago In the third season, Aang is no longer that flighty kid. In fact, he is in dire danger as he was captured by the Fire Nation at the end of season two. …

Share This

Longtime Chronicle reporter Hohlfeld dies at 56 Houston Chronicle, United States - 45 minutes ago He nicknamed Billy Wagner ''The Little Hillbilly'' and told of the first time he'd seen him, on a back field in spring training, a 5-9 kid throwing a …

Share This

Stereogum

Pitchfork Music Festival 2008: Public Enemy's It Takes A Nation Of … Stereogum, NY - 19 minutes ago This record meant a lot to me as a kid, and in thinking about this set, I'm sure I wasn't alone in my fear that this set would be overshadowed — if not …

Share This

Charleston Hosts Southern National Barbecue Championship and … Melodika.net, Bulgaria - 9 minutes ago Kid's activities keep the little ones happy and the location is a lovely setting for a summer afternoon. Ticket prices are: $20.00 for adults, …

Share This

Forecasting the NFC North? Good luck FOXSports.com - 49 minutes ago This circus isn't helping the kid in any way. He's not "overcoming adversity" here. He's dealing with nonsense. If anything, it's put even more unwanted … Video: Should Favre Come Back? Packers' Fans Chime In AssociatedPress Brett Favre's return Gaylord Herald Times It's time for Favre to move on Richmond Times Dispatch all 6,393 news articles

Share This