Manatee Schools Dominate TSA Championships

BRADENTON – For the eighth year in a row, Manatee County Technology Student Association competitors ranked first in the nation at the National TSA Conference by bringing home 22 first-place event trophies, 7 second-place event trophies, 9 third-place event trophies and 43 top-ten event.

Last week, 154 Manatee County students from 11 Manatee County schools competed against more than 6,000 of the best-of-the-best students from around the country to win top honors at the TSA 2014 Conference in Washington D.C. Manatee County students enjoyed more top-ten finishes than any other school district in the entire nation.

“I want to congratulate all the students, their advisors and administration for continuing their eight year run of excellence at last week’s National TSA Conference and also for their dedication and commitment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM),” said Superintendent Rick Mills.

Nolan Middle School, along with advisors Maureen Hudson and Kristen Cunningham, was the number one nationally ranked middle school TSA chapter in the nation by earning a record breaking 26 top-ten event wins including 13-first place event trophies in events such as Inventions and Innovations, Medical Tech Issues, and Construction Challenge.

Haile Middle School and advisor Justin Erickson won first place in VEX Robot Skills; Johnson Middle School with advisors Hollis Bostic and Suzanne Jarrell took home first place in the Dragster; Braden River Middle School with advisor Kyle Holbrook won in System Control; Harllee Middle School with advisor Nathaniel Bostic won in Career Prep and Sugg Middle School with advisor Charles Routhier placed second in Promotional Design.

The high school level competitions were just as intense with Braden River High School again ranked secondin the nation among high schools with advisors Gil Burlew, John Frank, David Sheppard, and Bill Ferrell leading students to a total of nine top 10 event wins including a first place event win in Career Preparation.

Southeast High School led by advisors Richard Platt and Irene Nikitopoulus also ranked in the top 10 nationally among high schools with a total of seven top 10 wins including a first place in Dragster Design. Bayshore High School, guided by Advisor Pam Platt, took home a first place trophy in Structural Engineering; Lakewood Ranch High School, guided by advisors Greg McGrew and Ben Long, brought home a fourth place event finish in Transportation Modeling and Manatee High School with advisor Patricia Harris, brought home a third place event trophy in Manufacturing Prototype.

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is the only student organization devoted exclusively to the needs of students engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Open to students
enrolled in or who have completed technology education courses, TSA’s membership includes over 200,000 middle and high school students in over 2,000 schools spanning 49 states. More information can be found at www.TSAweb.org.