🧑‍🎓 9-Year-Old Prodigy Starts College

Good morning. We’re starting this week off with a back-to-school story to make you smile. A 9-year-old prodigy in Pennsylvania is breaking barriers as the youngest student at Ursinus College, determined to become a brain surgeon for kids his age.

In Thailand, rare footage of thriving gaur calves has park officials celebrating the success of conservation efforts and the promise of biodiversity.

And in England, a diligent barber’s keen eye helped save a teenager’s life, proving that small acts of attention can have life-changing impacts.

—Stephanie S

At just 9 years old, Aiden Wilkens from Pennsylvania is already attending college, making him the youngest student ever at Ursinus College. While most kids his age are in elementary school, Aiden is studying anatomy and chemistry, driven by a passion for the brain that began in early childhood.

Aiden’s academic journey is remarkable. He was reading and correcting sentences as a toddler, writing algebraic equations by age six, and passed his high school gifted test before most kids start middle school.

He now balances college classes with high school coursework, all while aiming to become a pediatric neurosurgeon. His motivation is to help kids his own age who face neurological challenges.

Aiden’s story is a testament to the power of curiosity and hard work. He hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter how ambitious.

Treworgy Orchards in Maine has been named the best corn maze in America for the fourth year in a row. The family farm’s creative designs honor local history and beloved children’s books, making each maze a unique experience.

This year’s theme celebrates Maine’s farming and fishing heritage, inspired by the state flag and the classic book Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man. The orchard’s commitment to community shines through every detail.

Open through November, Treworgy Orchards continues to delight visitors of all ages.

Trail cameras in Thailand’s Huai Kha Khaeng Forest have captured rare footage of the world’s largest bovine, the gaur, thriving with its calves. This sight has delighted park officials and highlights the success of ongoing conservation efforts.

Once widespread across Asia, gaur populations are now fragmented and vulnerable. The footage shows that the forest provides enough food and habitat for these majestic animals.

The UNESCO-listed reserve is also a refuge for elephants and tigers, showing the impact of decades of protection.

A sharp-eyed barber in England may have saved a teen’s life after spotting a lump on his neck during a haircut. Firat Davutoglu urged 17-year-old Owen Norgrove to see a doctor, leading to a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma.

Owen began chemotherapy right away and is now in remission, with hopes for a full recovery next year.

The story is a reminder that small acts of care and attention can make a life-changing difference.

40 years ago today, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young organized the first Farm Aid concert in Champaign, Illinois, raising $7 million for struggling American family farmers. Inspired by Bob Dylan’s comments at Live Aid earlier that summer, the benefit drew 80,000 fans and featured Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, John Fogerty, Bonnie Raitt, and Tom Petty.

Originally imagined as a one-time event, Farm Aid grew into an enduring annual movement. Beyond concerts, the organization funds disaster relief, runs a farmer support hotline, and even helped push through the 1987 Agricultural Credit Act. It has also fueled the rise of the organic and local food movement, proving that the effort to protect family farms has cultural and legislative staying power.

Other notable September 22 events:

1964: Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway, later becoming the first musical to surpass 3,000 performances.

1976: NASA unveiled the first Space Shuttle, Enterprise, renamed after a fan campaign by Star Trek viewers.

1988: Diver Greg Louganis, after hitting his head during a qualifying round at the Seoul Olympics, went on to win two gold medals.

1999: The West Wing debuted on NBC, winning 26 Emmys across its 7-year run.

🦘 Australia: The nearly extinct ampurta made a remarkable comeback during Australia's mega-drought.

🚂 India: A police officer transformed an old train car into a mobile hospital to deliver essential healthcare to remote villages.

🎺 Louisiana: A 66-year-old man fulfilled his lifelong dream by becoming the oldest member of the LSU marching band after returning to college.

💖 USA: A new survey shows that most aging Americans prioritize leaving behind a legacy of love and memories for their families over wealth.

🏄‍♂️ France: A daredevil kitesurfer set a new Guinness World Record by soaring 1,558 feet into the air, the highest kitesurf jump ever recorded.

— Honore de Balzac

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

🗣️ Saving Languages: Digital archives preserve endangered languages, keeping cultural heritage alive for future generations.

💦 Water Recycling: Advanced water recycling systems are turning wastewater into safe drinking water in many cities.

🚜 Autonomous Farming: Self-driving tractors are helping farmers optimize planting and harvesting, saving time and fuel.

🌳 Greener Cities: Urban tree-planting programs are cooling cities, improving air quality, and reducing energy use.

📖 Open Science: Open-access journals are democratizing knowledge, letting anyone read cutting-edge research for free.

Spread a little good news, and good things come back your way.

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