On the weekend of March 1-2, students from Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS) showcased their talents at the annual Technology Student Association (TSA) Valley Regional Fair, held at Stuarts Draft High School. Nearly seventy RCPS students competed against peers from fifteen other middle and high school TSA chapters across the Shenandoah Valley, participating in seventeen STEM-related events.
Outstanding Achievements:
Broadway High School: Achieved two first-place finishes, three second-place finishes, and two third-place finishes.
Montevideo Middle School: Secured six first-place finishes, three second-place finishes, and two third-place finishes.
Spotswood High School: Led with seven first-place finishes and one second-place finish.
Turner Ashby High School: Earned one first-place finish, two second-place finishes, and two third-place finishes.
Aligning with this year's conference theme, "Space," attendees had the privilege of hearing from Mrs. Propst, an astronomy teacher from Broadway High School. She enlightened the delegation about the new era of space exploration and the significance of STEM careers.
Beyond competitions, members engaged in the electoral process, voting in a new regional officer team comprising eight members. Impressively, six of these officers are RCPS students:
Pearl Anderson (BHS): Parliamentarian
Mateo Mousa (SHS): Historian
Gwen Ours (TAHS): Sergeant-at-Arms
Clara Denman (BHS): Reporter
Claira Venuto (TAHS): Secretary
Jathan Blankenship (TAHS): Vice President
RCPS TSA members also participated in fundraising activities such as "Hideous Hat (Alien Edition)," "Asteroid Toss," and "Pie a (Regional) Officer." Collectively, the Valley Region raised over $1,500 for the American Cancer Society during the event.
Many of these dedicated TSA members are set to advance and compete at the Virginia TSA State Conference, known as Technosphere, in Hampton, VA, from May 1st through 4th.
Behind every successful TSA chapter is a dedicated team of teachers who devote countless hours outside of the classroom to mentor students, prepare them for competition, and foster a love of STEM learning. Their hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed, and we want to take a moment to thank our RCPS TSA Advisors for their leadership:
Broadway High School – Andrew Lough
East Rockingham High School – Oleg Sych
Turner Ashby High School – Brian Bazzle
Spotswood High School – Tom Cummings
Elkton Middle School – David Kisling
Montevideo Middle School – Kristina Biller
Wilbur S. Pence Middle School – David Laraway
J. Frank Hillyard Middle School – Bekah Mongold
These educators play an essential role in developing students’ technical skills, leadership abilities, and teamwork—preparing them for both competition and future careers in STEM.
The Virginia Technology Student Association (TSA) provides students with hands-on opportunities to develop leadership skills, explore career paths, and apply STEM concepts in real-world scenarios. For students in Rockingham County and across the Shenandoah Valley, TSA is more than just a competition—it’s a chance to engage in creative problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation that reflects the agricultural, industrial, and technological strengths of our region.
By participating in TSA, RCPS students are not only enhancing their STEM education but also preparing for future careers that drive progress in our local communities and beyond. Their dedication and achievements showcase the strong spirit of learning and leadership that defines our schools.
Congratulations to all participants, and best of luck to those representing RCPS at Technosphere in May!
