Members of the Casey County High School Technology Student Association (TSA) recently traveled to the state competition, where they showcased their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills across a variety of events.
For Junior Alex Wright, who competed in audio podcasting, the experience was both exciting and unexpected.
“The most surprising part… was me and my partner… running around the hotel trying to figure out where we were supposed to go,” Wright said. “Then 30 minutes later, we figured out that it was online.”
Moments like this added to the experience, but Wright emphasized that success at TSA state comes from months of preparation and collaboration.
“The preparation process… involves an insane amount of teamwork,” he said. “We start months before the competition… It’s very hard, but it’s also very challenging in a good way.”
Wright and his partner, Connor Wilson, created a podcast centered around an unsolved mystery, choosing to focus on the Zodiac Killer. Through the project, they combined research, storytelling, and production skills.
Wright also pointed out that TSA offers more opportunities than many students realize.
“People look at TSA and think it’s just robots,” he explained. “But there’s music production, podcasting…there’s a lot more.”
TSA advisor James Whaley said the benefits of the competition go beyond the projects themselves.
“I think the skills that students gain… are more about representing themselves and being proud of what they’ve done,” James said.
He also noticed growth in this year’s competitors compared to previous years.
“There were a lot of improvements… especially compared to last year,” he said. “Students learned how to make improvements and move in the right direction.”
At the state level, TSA features a wide range of events, from engineering-based challenges like PVC kayak construction to creative competitions such as fashion design, board game design, and video game development.
“Most TSA competitions are about building or creating something unique or cool,” James said.
For students who may be unsure about joining, James encourages them to get involved and learn more.
“One of the best things you can do is come to a meeting… or talk to current members,” he said.
As TSA members return from state competition, they bring back not only competition experience, but also new skills and confidence.
With its mix of creativity, teamwork, and real-world application, TSA continues to offer students an opportunity to grow both inside and outside the classroom.
