In its first year at Pine Tree High School, the Technology Student Association (TSA) chapter has already achieved remarkable success. Following competition at the East Texas Regional Conference, fourteen PTHS students have qualified for the Texas TSA State Conference, which will be held April 8 through 11 in Fort Worth.
TSA, or the Technology Student Association, is a national STEM-based organization that allows students to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills through competitive events and leadership development. Events range from Structural Engineering and System Control to Extemporaneous Speaking, Children’s Stories, and Music Production, offering opportunities for students with diverse interests and talents.
Under the direction of Engineering Teacher and TSA Advisor Melissa Swallow, 26 PTHS students competed at the regional level. Their performance resulted in multiple state-qualifying placements in both National Qualifying Events and UTE competitions. UTE, or Unique-to-Texas Events, are specialized categories developed specifically for Texas TSA participants to highlight innovation and technical skill.
State qualifiers and top finishers include:
2nd Place Chapter Team (National Qualifying Event): Aubrey Klein, Keith Fowler, Joseline Araujo, Faith Sanchez, Calvin Casey, and Gabriel Martinez
2nd Place Children’s Stories (National Qualifying Event): Evelyn Diaz, Chase Sheppard, and Jordyn Theus
2nd Place Extemporaneous Speech (National Qualifying Event): Rory Griffin
3rd Place Music Production (National Qualifying Event): Keith Fowler, Nolan Griffin, Faith Sanchez, and Gabriel Martinez
2nd Place Photographic Technology (National Qualifying Event): Keith Fowler
2nd Place System Control (National Qualifying Event): Brandon Marsh, Dominick Salazar, and Devondre Gray
1st Place UTE Graphic Solutions Information Technology: Dominick Salazar
1st Place UTE Graphic Solutions Technology Problem Solving: Calvin Casey
Additional students earned top placements in UTE Architecture and Construction, Biotechnology, Engineering Design, and Technology Problem Solving events.
This achievement is especially significant as it marks the inaugural year of TSA at PTHS. The success of these students reflects their dedication, the strength of the engineering program, and the district’s continued commitment to expanding high-quality Career and Technical Education opportunities.
Parents and community members are encouraged to congratulate these students as they prepare to represent PTHS at the state level and compete for the opportunity to advance to the national competition.