Lower Merion TSA excels at nationals

This June, eleven members of Lower Merion’s Technology Student Association (TSA) attended the National TSA conference in Washington, D.C. The LM students traveled to the capitol to compete against students from across the world in events like Biotechnology Design, Career Preparation, and Extemporaneous Presentation. The Chapter Team ended with four trophies and two additional top-ten finishes. LM also achieved two more top-ten finishes in Prepared Presentation and Technology Bowl.

To be able to compete at this level of competition, students had to qualify with at least one top-ten finish at their state conference. This year, LM TSA had 15 qualified members, eleven of whom attended the national conference. These achievements take perseverance, passion, and creativity to attain. Members think TSA teaches its mem- bers to work hard, collaborate, and take pride in their accomplishments. “When you are working on a team, it is important to do something for the rest of the team as much as you are doing it for yourself,” said junior Olivia Johnston. “Since the projects are long term, TSA gives me the opportunity to develop a project into something I can really be proud of.”

In one specific event, Chapter Team, LM TSA achieved something they should be really proud of. In this event, six members conduct a formal business meeting using parliamentary procedure, in which they make motions and debate. This year, LM’s team prepared for months in advance. “Studying involves lots of reading, practice tests, and individual work,” said junior Vivian Klotz. “When we meet as a team, our president, Mandi Farah ’14, quizzes us on the ladder of motions, definitions, and anything else from the books. Then, we run meetings and push ourselves above and beyond the level that is expected of us.”

Their extensive preparation paid off and rewarded the team with a first place trophy for the group, and five top-ten finishes in- dividually. “A professional registered parliamentarian told us that it was the best meet- ing he had seen in his 14 years!” Klotz said. “To have someone whose opinion you value tell you that you’ve done extremely well is an incredible feeling. To share those experiences with some of my favorite people and best friends makes it all the better.”

While the competition part of the conference was exciting and rewarding, LM’s TSA chapter also bonded and formed stronger friendships during the national conference. “It will sound a bit crazy, but my favorite part of the conference was probably the late night event meetings. They were kind of awful, but because of them we all became so much closer as a chapter.” Johnston said.

“We spent about four hours in the hallway until four a.m. working on putting a project together, only to make it look slightly worse than the original. When you talk to someone at three in the morning, you really see a dif- ferent side of them.” The national confer- ence allowed for the LM students of all ages and interests to become good friends and great teammates.

LM TSA has done very well this year, and it hopes for continued success. TSA is searching for many more students who are passionate about engineering or science. “I have been inspired to work harder, to be a better person, and to make a difference,” Klotz said. “I know it sounds cliché, but the most important thing I have learned from TSA is that it’s about the journey rather than the destination. The hard work and the crazy experiences and feeling of success are so much more important than the trophies.”

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