| Students
attend TSA national convention
Five students from Prairie High School attended the 30th National Technology Student Association Convention in Orlando, Florida, June 28 through July 2nd. Approximately 3,000 students attended from throughout the United States and Germany. 
Kyle Holthaus, Steve Baerlocher, and Chance Ratcliff placed in the top ten in Manufacturing Prototype with their toy action figure. During the closing ceremonies on July 2, the team of 3 were called up on the stage to receive a Top Ten Finalist pin. The boys had to design a toy action figure promoting TSA, design a box with marketing to hold the toy, and record all their efforts including how it could be manufactured. Garrett Workman made a rubber band powered airplane to compete in the Flight Endurance event. Part of the challenge of this event is not knowing the conditions in which participants must fly their planes. Garrett had to work with his plane and adjust it to overcome the smaller than normal space provided. All the participants had some problems with the wind currents in the room, as well as the limited space of the room. Also competing was Alex Richardson who made a front page booklet cover in the Promotional Graphics event. The competition was pretty tough, as this is popular event with many entries. All of the students enjoyed their experience at nationals and seeing the growing impact that technology is going to have on the world in the future. They learned from their mistakes and from the projects of the competition and are already setting their sights on attending the national competition next year in Denver, Colorado. The students, parents, and TSA Advisor, Jerry Richardson, would like to thank those who made it possible for the students to attend the conference, especially Pacific Cabinets Inc. for donating the wood to make the quilt stands, and the people that purchased them, as well as those who donated to and bought items at the yard sale. Thanks also to Janet Richardson and Laurie Workman, who attended as chaperones and parents, and Tyler Workman who also attended. And a very special thank you to Roger Holthaus and Rick Workman for all of their hardwork and extra hours spent helping the kids with the quilt stands. Thank you! |
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