When returning from the national science fair in Indianapolis, Homer is greeted in Bluefield by a bunch of well-wishers and he learns that the strike at the coal mine is over as well.  He also finds out that Miss Riley is in the hospital so he heads straight over there.

As he and the other boys get to her room, she tells them how proud she is of them and that she "knew they would do it."  Of course the boys can only try and tell her how much she meant to them and when she asks to see the medal they all quickly explain that its hers and they pin it to her pillow.