Friday, March 29, 2024

IRMS students head to nationals for tech savvy skills

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    Teens, preteens and even kids are known for being digital savvy these days. It's not uncommon to see a kid in a waiting room no longer flipping through a Highlights magazine, but rather prodding an iPad, playing a game. Despite grandma reminding the little ones to play outside, the introduction of technology to younger ages is not a bad thing and arguably a helpful skill has they grow up in a technology obsessed society. A knack for computers has already paid off for some tech enthusiasts at Icicle River Middle School. A few students involved in Washington Technology Student Association (TSA) are heading to Washington D.C. for nationals.
    "At the TSA National Conference in Washington, D.C., they will compete in their qualifying events plus events of their choice such as Problem Solving and Technical Design. The kids are excited and felt accomplished in achieving 1st place and eligibility for Nationals," said Jodie Tremberth, TSA advisor.  
    After taking first at state on April 3, the students returned home triumphant and ready to tackle nationals. Quintin Farrell and Hakkon Scheibler placed first in coding and Alma McKean, Tillie Jane Leroy and Greer Swoboda took first in website design at state.
    "Our website design team had been developing their website since October and put many long hours into their project with the goal of qualifying for Nationals and it was very satisfying to see their hard work pay off. Our Coding team had a returning member who earned 1st at state and 2nd at Nationals, but before the competition we heard that the number of students competing in the event had nearly double this year so we knew the event would be very competitive," said Tremberth. "For both teams,  a first place standing was definitely well deserved."
    The chapter first participated at the regional showcase in February and then headed to Seattle for the state competition. The state competition was hefty competition with 1,200 students from across Washington state. Despite the intimidating number of competitors, the team is ready to embark on the next step.
    "Attending nationals is a unique opportunity to see  student innovation and creativity on a much larger scale.  This trip provides perspective of larger community than just the Pacific Northwest as they meet and work with students from  around the world," said Tremberth.
    This is the chapter's third year heading to nationals and the program has been so successful within the district that some departing middle schoolers kickstarted a chapter at the high school.
    "Their program was so well done at the middle school that when the eighth graders left, they wanted to start a TSA at the high school," said Bill Motsenbocker superintendent of Cascade School District.
    The crew will head to nationals June 26 to July 3.

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