Seniors, it is the most bittersweet time of the year—graduation season. This time of the year can be hectic with last-minute college decisions, prom, and putting the finishing touches on YOUR senior year.

That is exactly what it is—it is your senior year, and hopefully it has been a great one, because time is winding down. The end of senior year means the close of one chapter and the beginning of a brand new one.

Senior year is the year of doing many things for the last time. For TSA seniors, that includes the last conferences and experiences with your TSA family as a member. Class of 2019, as we enter this next chapter in our life, let us not forget all the leadership and technical skills that we have developed while part of TSA. Most importantly, let us not forget the friendships and memories we have created that will last a lifetime.

This may be the end of our TSA journey as members, but it is the beginning of how we can give back to our organization as alumni . No matter where life takes us, always remember we are one family, we are…”One TSA.”

Best Practices—Part 2

by Secretary Audrey Garoutte

TSA has many impressive state delegations across the country. Each state has its own activities and is outstanding in certain areas. Here are three more state delegations and some of their best practices. (To read about the previous three states spotlighted, check out the Winter 2019 School Scene .)

● Region 3: Virginia TSA is taking committee work to another level. They have nine standing committees and nine special committees ranging from College and University Relations to Auditing. One of their new programs is the Inter-State Committee project. This program allows other states’ officers to serve as ex-officio members on committees. Virginia TSA President Devan Patel explains that this program allows other states to “be a part of our discussions, and explore a different side of TSA.” He hopes that they will be able to expand this program to more states in the future.

● Region 4: Oklahoma TSA is helping members find their perfect competitive events. They have begun compiling a competitive event library of samples and videos to show members what events entail. They also are working on a Competitive Event Index, “which will make it easy for members to branch out and try competitions that require similar skills to what they are already familiar with,” according to Tanner Thomas, Oklahoma TSA president. He anticipates that this resource will help members with the transition from middle school to high school events. 

● Region 5: Colorado TSA is expanding its impact through professional partnerships. One of these is with the Wings Over the Rockies Space Museum. Colorado TSA President Aditi Narwaney explains that her officer team noticed a sparse children's section of the museum. To rectify this, Colorado TSA created a new event. “Each year, students have the opportunity to design a portion of the children’s section, and the winner’s design will be an addition to the museum,” she explains. Other Colorado TSA partnerships include the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and University of Colorado Boulder-Children’s Hospital Colorado. 

8 Ways to be Competition Ready

by Treasurer Emma Hopson

TSA Connections

by Reporter Benjamin Abt

As TSA continues to grow, new connections with many educational organizations have been created to make your experience in TSA the best it can be. Partnerships with the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) , International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) , and Wiley are helping TSA to develop us—the students—into future leaders, preparing us for career success post-TSA by enriching our educational experience. 

Another partner is CompTIA , a non-profit association that serves as the voice of the information technology (IT) industry. CompTIA delivers IT certificates that are nationally accepted and works closely with TSA in order to figure out how to fill future jobs within the tech industry. This year, CompTIA will award the Scholarship for Future Technologists to graduating seniors. Click here to see the brief list of requirements and the few, easy steps to apply by May 1 ^st .

Similarly, partners such as VEX Robotics work hard to put on events and make sure all students have access to hands-on STEM learning as they recognize the importance of STEM in the classroom and the quickly evolving field. 

Many of you are familiar with the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) , which funds two programs administered by TSA, Junior Solar Sprint and Unite —both, supporting STEM education. Similarly, TSA’s partnership with SAME hopes to train students who plan on working with STEM in their future careers. SAME has more than 100 local posts and field chapters around the world and aims to solve the military issues of tomorrow by training the students of today. 

All of these associations recognize the number of employees needed to fill the STEM pipeline and have partnered with TSA because they recognize the potential in every one of you and want to help you succeed in STEM . 

Model the Way

by Sergeant-at-Arms Ashley Stokes

Throughout the year, members across the nation work for hours and hours on competitive events hoping to stand eventually as national finalists on stage at the National TSA Conference. As state conference season is well underway, it is time to begin looking ahead to “ Model the Way,” June 28 ^th through July 2 ^nd in the Washington, D.C. area. Here is the Schedule-at-a-Glance.

With the 2019 National TSA Conference fast approaching, chapters need to start preparing. Polish up on your competitive events with the feedback you have been given at your state conference. Chapters also need to fundraise to attend; start now so you can join thousands of your closest friends at this year's National TSA Conference.

Not only do you compete, but you also have the chance to elect the 2019–2020 national TSA officer team. You will have the chance to talk with candidates at the annual Meet and Greet and hear more about their ideas for our organization. Elections will take place July 1 ^st at the Business Meeting. If you have never been to a Business Meeting with other TSA members who are passionate about parliamentary procedure, you are in for a great educational experience. Members have the chance to debate and vote on any bylaw amendments or resolutions brought to the assembly.

One for All and All {41}

 In the past year, your national TSA officer team has had an amazing time representing all of you. We have been able to accomplish many things throughout our term, including our College and Career Awareness Initiative, which was one of our major undertakings for the year. We also worked together to create helpful TSA Toolkits for members, such as Tips for College and Career Interviews , Sample Program of Work , and Sample Chapter Meeting Agenda .

Looking back on our term, we are happy with the work that we have done and are excited to see what the future holds. We hope national officer teams will continue to work on expanding post-secondary awareness of TSA, develop more resources to benefit members, and continue working to improve our organization, which will mark 41 years.

We also have bonded, grown together, and become close friends. It has been a humbling experience for all of us to be a part of such an incredible team. Thank you, TSA, for giving us the opportunity to represent and serve you on the 2018–2019 national TSA officer team. We cannot wait to see you at the 2019 National TSA Conference near Washington D.C.!

School Scene (ISSN 1066-341X) is published three times a year by the Technology Student Association.

Copyright © 2019 TSA

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