Alva Review-Courier -

More than 8,500 middle school and high school Technology Student Association (TSA) members from across the nation gathered at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center June 28–July 2 in National Harbor near Washington, D.C. for the National TSA conference.

"Model the Way" marked TSA's 41 years of enhancing personal development, leadership, education, and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through activities,competitions, and other programs.

Five students represented Alva Middle Schools TSA Chapter. Ethan Vaughan, Ethan Ruhl and Nathan Andrews competed in Tech Bowl (with a variety of STEM-related questions), Erica Coday and Laura Anton competed in the very challenging structural engineering (bridge building) competition, where their highly efficient bridge made it to the semifinals. Laura Anton placed fourth in the nation in the Essays on Technology competition. This competition required hours of researching air, land or water pollution.

When the students weren't competing, Mrs. Keli Woods and her TSA chapter took the opportunity to explore the nation's Capitol. Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Changing of the Guards, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Museum of Natural History, Air and Space Museum, and a tour of the Capitol were some of the highlights that they experienced.