James Clemens collects honors at tech students’ conference

MADISON – Students from James Clemens High School collected wins in top places at the Alabama State Conference of the Technology Student Association or TSA.

High school and middle school students from across Alabama gathered for the upbeat event on April 18-19 at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center. Youth in TSA are interested in science, engineering and other STEM-related careers.

James Clemens fielded 17 students to the conference and competed in 15 different individual and group STEM competitions, TSA Sponsor Allison Epperson said. In the James Clemens Engineering Academy, Epperson teaches Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics, and Engineering Research and Design.

“We placed in the Top Ten in all except one competition, and many students placed first, second or third at the conference. Congratulations to the students for their accomplishments,” Epperson said.

James Clemens won honors in different categories:

* Coding — Arjun Gaikwad, Brian Venson and Dou Kim in first place; Hannah Park, Isabelle Bao and Jonathan Powell in third place.

* Cybersecurity — Liam Shelley in first place.

* Dragster Design — Jake Ingraham in second place.

* Forensic Science — Riya Naphade and Dou Kim in second place.

* Technology Problem-Solving: Teniayo Akinsoto and Jordan Hockey in second place.

Alabama TSA usually conducts an average of 42 of these sessions at the state conference. In team and individual events, students are challenged to use and improve STEM skills in communications, design and engineering, environmental systems, transportation and manufacturing/construction. All competitions are aligned with STEM standards and other related guidelines.

Epperson thanked Kayla Brown for attending the TSA conference.

The Technology Student Association, a national, non-profit organization, has middle and high school students who are engaged in STEM pursuits. Since TSA was chartered in 1978, approximately 4,000,000 students have participated in challenging competitions, leadership opportunities and community service.

Alabama TSA has more than 5,000 members and continues to show steady growth. TSA also raises money for the American Cancer Society every year as a collective organization.

At James Clemens, the Technology Student Association meets on Fridays in Room A129 during the Refuel timeframe.