Technology Student Association Competitors Give Great Performances at State

Technology Student Association (TSA) is an increasingly popular club at Icicle River Middle School (IRMS) and Cascade High School (CHS). Twenty-five middle schoolers and 21 high schoolers prepared all year for competitions that were held as part of the recent four-day TSA conference in Seattle.

TSA members select competition categories (out of 46 choices) in which they combine creativity and inventiveness with technical knowhow and problem solving. Most students compete in multiple categories based on their passions and also to stretch themselves to learn something new, for instance, in forensic science or transportation modeling.

For categories like music production, audio podcasting and fashion design, students turn in an entry that is judged along with their presentation. Other categories are competed live at the conference, such as VEX robotics, technology problem solving, on demand video and coding.

Competitions are just one aspect of TSA, which is also about personal development, leadership and introduction to STEM related career opportunities. At the conference, students are held to a professional standard in dress and behavior, and through the competitions and workshops, students have opportunities to hone leadership skills including collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, dependability, communication and grit.

Eighth grader Georgia Holm and her partner Allie Ward, also in eighth grade, competed in community service video, inventions and innovations, and technology problem solving, and they earned a spot on the podium in all three!

Their first-place-winning two-minute community service video centered on environmental awareness, and they included footage from a Climate March they organized and an upcycling project that turned fertilizer bags into sturdy reusable grocery bags. Both contributed to the filming and narration. While Holm and Ward waited to be interviewed by the judges about their video, they took turns role-playing the potential questions and the answers they would give. Holm admitted the wait was nerve-wracking but they presented well.

Technological problem solving always has fierce competition. This year the pairs of students were given two hours to build the longest possible horizontal structure out of popsicle sticks, straws, two paper plates and tape. The structure wasn’t allowed to touch the ground except at its base.

“We sketched a design and then started building,” said Holm. “We had to make corrections when it started leaning toward the ground. We also practiced picking it up and placing it back down.” This final strategy was smart, because when time was up, Ward and Holm had to carry the structure to the judging station. Their structure was still sound when it was judged, and they could see theirs was one of the longest. They came away with third place.

Holm and Ward worked together last year too and won recognition for a silent movie. Speaking about their successful partnership, Holm said, “We’re both strong leaders. Allie has a lot of good ideas, and they’re different than mine. Because we’re friends, we can argue but get beyond that to do our best work together. And at the end of the day, we’re still amazing friends.”

The students were accompanied by teacher-advisors Jodie Tremberth, Kim Gilreath and Jake Carvitto from IRMS and Teara Dillon and David Harvill from CHS. The advisors help students navigate their schedules going from one competition to the next, answer questions and calm nerves, and they also attend workshops tailored to teachers.

About her advisors, Holm said, “I love Mrs. Tremberth as a teacher and a mentor; she’s always able to answer questions. Mrs. Gilreath is my favorite teacher, and she kept our spirits high when we were nervous. This was Mr. Carvitto’s first year, and it was great he was there because Mrs. Tremberth had other responsibilities [being on the board for the Washington State TSA.]”

Jodie Tremberth considered the trip a huge success. “They were a fun, determined, and committed group of students. Of the 25 students, eighteen participated for the first time. As we left, I heard many comments about what they want to compete in next year. Which is always one of our goals; let them leave stoked for more!”

Dillon similarly praised her group of CHS students, saying “Our Kodiak TSA State competitors worked hard outside their classrooms, work and extracurriculars to create top notch entries. The events required high standards and a professional level of presentation. I am proud of our competitors and the dedication to make it to TSA State and beyond.”

Four IRMS students and three CHS students qualified to attend TSA Nationals in June in Louisville, Kentucky. “I’m excited to represent our school, travel to another state and meet new people,” said Holm. The other students who qualified to go to Nationals are IRMS students Allie Ward, Kate Smith and Sully Fischer and CHS students Haakon Scheibler, Quentin Farrell and Anthony Villalobos.

The middle school finisher results include: 1^st place fashion design – Kate Smith, Sully Fischer and Gabe Payne; 1^st place community service video – Allie Ward, Georgia Holm; 2^nd place forensic technology – Kate Smith, Sully Fischer; 3^rd place inventions and innovations – Georgia Holm, Allie Ward; 3^rd place technology problem solving – Allie Ward, Georgia Holm; top 5 finalist, silent film – Elliot Tiegel, Kyrianna Ross, Grant Burrill, Nola Strand; top 5 finalist, technical design – Zora Gilland, Piper Copson; top 5 finalist, on demand video – Kate Smith, Elliot Tiegel, Jaden Parker, Cosimo Terrenella.

The high school finisher results include: 3^rd place tech bowl – Haakon Scheibler, Quentin Farrell and Anthony Villalobos; top 5 finalist, audio podcast – Cordelia Freeland, Jewel Leroy; top 5 finalist, senior solar sprint – Olivia Melton, Avery Houghton; top 5 finalist, children’s story – Mia Dreis.