WESTPORT–Staples High School sophomore Noah Saporta won a top prize at a national leadership conference for creating an interactive game that teaches users how to manage their finances with the help of a virtual pet alligator.

The Westport student’s “Gatornomics” program came in first place in Introduction to Programming, one of 108 categories in the Future Business Leaders of America’s (FBLA) National Leadership Conference held in San Antonio, Texas, from June 29 through July 2.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition and for everyone who supported me along the way, especially my family who traveled to San Antonio to be there,” Saporta said.

More than 13,400 students from throughout the United States, its territories and Canada, competed for almost $65,000 in prizes in the events, according to the FBLA.

Saporta spent nine months creating and programming his interactive financial literacy game, which is designed to teach budgeting and responsible decision making. Players earn money, buy food and medicine, manage health and energy and make real time financial decisions. Each decision affects the wellbeing of the virtual pet reptile.

Built entirely by Saporta, the game features an embedded AI assistant called GatorAID, which provides real time guidance and directs users to relevant sections of the application.

Saporta’s goal, he said, was to combine artificial intelligence, software engineering and interactive gameplay “to make learning financial literacy engaging while showing how technology can solve real world problems.”

The game is powered by Meta’s Llama 3.3 model through Groq, Saporta said. The project also integrates the Instagram Graph API, enabling players to publish achievements directly to Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.

“This year’s National Leadership Conference showcased the incredible talent and dedication of our student members,” said FBLA President and CEO Jennifer Woods. “From analytical thinking to dynamic communication, they demonstrated the skills that will shape tomorrow’s workforce. These students leave San Antonio not only with well-earned recognition, but also with new connections, confidence, and a clearer path toward their future careers.”

At the FBLA conference, students were offered more than 200 learning workshops and met with representatives from more than 25 colleges, universities, and employers, including the Alzheimer’s Association, BusinessU, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), FICO, Funds2Orgs, Jostens, Kendra Scott, Men’s Wearhouse, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Coast Guard, the organization said.

Students also heard from Jared Ebersole, FBLA high school alumnus and co-founder of Lectec, who shared his journey from FBLA member to entrepreneur, and what it takes to build, fail and lead.

For Saporta, the conference and the win were just the beginning.

“I’m excited to keep exploring how technology, especially AI, can make financial literacy more engaging and accessible for students everywhere,” he said.