[00:00:02] **Announcer:**
It’s time to get in the loop with LPS, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools. From the latest school and district news updates on various district hot topics and opportunities to meet those who help make LPS great, *In the Loop with LPS* is here to provide another opportunity for us to stay connected with you.

[00:00:24] **Announcer:**
So let’s get started and send you to the longtime Director of Communications with Liberty Public Schools — and your host of *In the Loop with LPS* — Dallas Ackerman.

[00:00:35] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Welcome back, everybody. My name is Dallas Ackerman, Director of Communications, and we are thrilled to be joined this week by our newest LPS Communications intern — **Ava Powers**, a senior at Liberty North High School and a student who wears many hats. Ava, thanks for joining us!

[00:01:42] **Ava Powers:**
I’m doing good! Thank you so much for having me on today.

[00:01:50] **Dallas Ackerman:**
How’s your 2024–2025 school year going so far?

[00:01:50] **Ava Powers:**
It has definitely hit the ground running — classes, my internship, and homecoming season. But it’s been super fun.

[00:02:24] **Ava Powers:**
My senior schedule is actually pretty fun. After taking hard classes for most of high school, I gave myself some leeway. I’m taking broadcasting, theater, choir, speech and debate — and one “real” class, College Composition. I *could* graduate early, but I want to enjoy senior year.

[00:03:23] **Ava Powers:**
Mrs. Higgins reached out to me last year and told me you were looking for an intern. She thought I’d be a good fit. The more we talked, the more I realized how much experience and networking I could gain — not just in broadcasting, but with community connections. It seemed like the perfect opportunity.

[00:05:23] **Ava Powers:**
I’ve always been “the loud kid.” Instead of being told to be quiet, teachers gave me opportunities to *use* my voice — speaking at events, visiting elementary classrooms, performing in theater and debate. The more I spoke publicly, the more natural it became. And I love it. Public speaking gives me a rush.

[00:08:55] **Ava Powers:**
I started in LPS at Shoal Creek (1st–3rd), then moved to Lewis & Clark for the end of elementary, then to Heritage Middle School, and now Liberty North. The move was hard at first, but it ended up being a blessing because now I have connections on *both* sides of town.

[00:13:15] **Ava Powers:**
In high school I’m deeply involved in theater, broadcasting, choir, speech and debate, student section leadership, and student council — along with Kindness Club, Interact, and more. I don’t necessarily rank favorites; I just dive into what I love and where I thrive.

[00:14:52] **Ava Powers:**
Time management is definitely tough. I rely on my teachers, friends, and family. My electives are all four-year programs, so my teachers know me well — they know when I’m tired and when I need a breather. And I get as much homework done during school as possible. It’s all about taking care of myself.

[00:17:10] **Ava Powers:**
My advice for younger students: **get involved.** School can be fun when you find your people. Build relationships with teachers. Seek out clubs, performances, teams — find what excites you. Being involved helps you grow confidence and connections.

[00:19:19] **Ava Powers:**
Stress is real for students — especially with academics, activities, and social media. But finding balance is key. Take breaks. Prioritize mental health. Don’t overload weekends. And don’t compare yourself to others.

[00:21:02] **Ava Powers:**
In my free time, I love reading (fantasy books!), watching movies, especially superhero films, and hanging out with my golden retriever, Bo. I also value my “horizontal time” — just lying down and decompressing.

[00:22:13] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Let’s talk about Anastasia — your school musical!

[00:22:17] **Ava Powers:**
Yes! I landed the **lead role** in *Anastasia*, and I’m so excited. LPS musicals are high-level productions. We’ve been rehearsing for weeks. Anastasia is historical fiction — the story of Anya, a girl with amnesia who may actually be the lost Romanov princess. It’s magical and emotional. Performances are November 21–23 at 7 p.m. Get tickets!

[00:25:36] **Ava Powers:**
I also competed in the **Miss Kansas City** pageant and won the title of Miss Kansas City International’s Teen. I created a community service initiative, *Protect Our Protectors*, inspired by my dad (a firefighter for 30+ years). I raised funds, organized a teddy bear drive for fire trucks, and finished second runner-up at state. It was such an empowering experience.

[00:28:53] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Let’s preview your new weekly segment — *Ava’s LPS Adventures*.

[00:29:02] **Ava Powers:**
We want to find and spotlight the small but meaningful stories across LPS — the moments that happen in classrooms every day that parents and the community don’t always get to see. I’ll be visiting schools, interviewing students and teachers, and sharing something uplifting each week.

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# **Three Random Questions**

### **1. Dallas → Ava:** Most interesting teacher?

**Ava:** Mrs. Tricia Peters — AP Environmental Science. She has amazing stories from her time in the Army, and she made class fun and meaningful.

### **2. Ava → Dallas:** If you were an animal?

**Dallas:** A squirrel. (Big energy, always having fun, great view from outside the DAC windows.)

### **3. Dallas → Ava:** Dream venue to sing the National Anthem?

**Ava:** The Kansas City Chiefs game — ideally with Taylor Swift in the audience. (Chiefs, if you’re listening… call me!)

### **4. Ava → Dallas:** Go-to QuikTrip order?

**Dallas:** Taquitos with chipotle sauce… but pretzels and egg rolls are strong contenders.

### **5. Dallas → Ava:** If you could interview anyone on a podcast?

**Ava:** Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin — my favorite band. He seems like an incredible storyteller.

### **6. Ava → Dallas:** Favorite Royals player ever?

**Dallas:** George Brett (all-time), but Bobby Witt Jr. might end up even better.

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[00:39:50] **Ava Powers:**
Thank you so much for having me. This was wonderful!

[00:40:06] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Thank you, Ava. We’re excited for all the work you’ll be doing this year. And to our listeners — we’ll talk to you again next time.

[00:40:33] **Announcer:**
Thanks for choosing to spend a few minutes with us and getting in the loop with LPS. For more about this podcast and everything happening in Liberty Public Schools, visit lps53.org.