Summit Middle School Students Showcase Tech Skills at National Conference

The conference celebrated the contributions of advanced technology to our society and TSA’s 35th anniversary with the theme “A Tradition of Excellence.”

Summit Middle School seventh grade technology students Harshini  Abbaraju, Emily Breeden, Madi Holm, Katelyn Kempkes and Tess Murphy guided by their advisors, Ron Trobaugh and Rob Robison, prepared throughout the school year to compete with their peers in the following events: Career Challenge, Challenging Technology Issues, Dragster Design, Problem Solving,  Prepared Speech, Structural Engineering, and Transportation Challenge.  

Trobaugh and chaperones Linda Trobaugh and Kristin Holms accompanied the Summit students to Orlando.  Some attendees also participated in leadership sessions designed to develop and enhance leadership skills through customized sessions based on “The Student Leadership Challenge – The Five Practices for Exemplary Leaders.”

Summit TSA earned various awards.  TSA partnered with The American Cancer Society (ACS) for its national service project;  Summit TSA received the ACS Silver Award.  In addition, Abbaraju was recognized by National TSA for earning the Gold Achievement Award for her involvement with Summit TSA and also placed tenth out of 84 participants in Prepared Speech. 

Also, the Summit chapter earned the 2013 Middle School Chapter of Excellence Award for their activities and participation.  Johnston Middle School TSA was represented in Orlando by two freshman, Liz Crowley and Akaash Suresh.

The highlight of the 2013 National TSA Conference was the election of Summit alumni and current Johnston High senior, Sanjay Koduvalli, as the 2013-14 National TSA President.  Sanjay is the first National TSA President to come from the state of Iowa.