School Pride Episode 1.05 Hometown Heroes

Dakota and Andrew send a video begging School Pride to help Needles High, a desperate school located in the hot, unforgiving California desert.

Needles was built in 1903 and it looks like not much has changed. Cracked ceilings, shattered windows and dingy carpets make this a less-than-ideal place to learn.

Even the quad is just a patch of dirt. The drinking fountain is broken and there's no sign of any grass or shade.

The local town depends on Needles to produce students who can become mechanics and electricians. Unfortunately, the shop classes are dirty, in a state of disrepair, and downright dangerous.

The School Pride team braves the scorching temperature to tell Needles that it's time for a much-needed renovation!

Andrew tells Tom that this school is the heart of a small town like Needles. Half of the Needles graduates go straight into the local workforce. Plus the whole community shows up for their Friday night football games. Tom promises to get Needles' football field in good shape before the next game.

Susie learns that the welding shop has out-of-date tools and isn't even insulated. Nick Hanline, the shop teacher and football coach, wants his students to have good vocational skills since many of them won't go to college.

Auto mechanics teacher Kevin Ward says he can't teach his students when his classroom is in such poor condition. After all, none of his teaching tools are even up to date!

Dakota loves Needles, but it's gotten so bad that she's considered leaving. Susie encourages Dakota to stick around and help turn the school around - even if it is over 100 degrees outside!

Jacob talks to Pam Blake, the head of the regional program at Needles. Pam underscores that without proper vocational training, these students will not go on to become productive members of the community's workforce. The entire economy depends on Needles.

English teacher Tracy Hanline is especially saddened by the sorry state of Needles High. After all, many of her family members work at the school! Tracy cries thinking about how hard it is to convince kids to take pride in Needles when it seems like nobody cares.

Tom talks to Tommy Booth, a recent Needles graduate who credits the school with teaching him to weld. To thank Needles High, Tommy helps weld a steel Mustang, the school mascot.

Jacob meets with Robert Smith, the vice principal of the Needles Unified School District. Robert feels badly about refusing to fund Needles High and its vocational shop programs, but he says he just doesn't have the funds. He's already planning on investing what little he has in a gym at a local middle school.

Whitley goes to Walmart to get fresh produce for her Needles High "Snack Shack." Thanks to Walmart, all of the food is free! Now the entire town can drink delicious smoothies while watching the school football games.

Susie tells Dakota to reconsider leaving Needles since soon the high school will have a wonderful student lounge.

With the School Pride team racing to meet the deadline, the Needles High Mustangs practice football at another school in order to prepare for Friday's big game!

A sandstorm threatens to delay the renovation and sabotage Friday's football game. The School Pride team works hard anyway even though there's only 18 hours left!

With help from volunteers, the School Pride team finishes renovating Needles High in spite of the sandstorm. Dakota and Andrew lead the way as students barrel into the brand-new school!

The new quad is landscaped and incredibly welcoming. One student even remarks that it looks as beautiful as a college campus!

When Mr. Ward sees the refurbished auto shop, he can't believe his eyes. With this up-to-date equipment, Needles graduates will definitely be able to contribute to the local workforce!

New computers and a hip environment make the Microsoft Entertainment Lounge an incredible resource for Needles High students.

Thanks to Walmart, The Needles High Snack Shack is a beautiful - and delicious - treat. It's time for some smoothies!

After the renovation, it's time for the Needles High Mustangs (in blue) to play some football on their new field. After a thrilling game, the Mustangs win by a single point!