This past summer, the Hill Technology Student Association (TSA) attended the 2024 National Conference in Orlando, Florida for design and coding events. The top three to five teams are invited to each conference, and this was the first year the group was able to compete. The following five students attended this year’s conference: Cayden Cubbin ’25 (Gilbertsville, Pa.), Jonathan Odike ’25 (Chester Springs, Pa.), Ayaan Rege ’26 (Phoenixville, Pa.), Jaewan Lee ’25 (Seoul, South Korea), and Ethan Ryu ’26 (Seoul, South Korea).

Cayden and Ayaan competed in a technology problem-solving event in which they were given no preparation, as well as limited time and resources. In this event, participants had to create a hanging, shelf-like structure off a ledge that was strong enough to withstand the weight of a tennis ball using only plastic straws and paper. The goal was to make the tennis ball as far as possible from the ledge without it collapsing.

In another event, all five Hill TSA members worked together in an on-demand video event where they were given 36 hours to stage, film, and edit a video that followed a certain prompt. This year’s prompt was to create a minute-long video that contained a sticky note, a bag of chips, a watch, and the phrase “I’ve got a feeling”.

Although the club did not receive any awards, they were extremely proud of their club’s progress. Cayden Cubbin ’25, TSA co-president, said, “Simply going to the National Conference was such an impressive feat for our program, not only because of its difficulty but also because of the program’s new status and obstacles we had to overcome to get there.”

To compete in a national event only three years after its creation is a big accomplishment. “We have come so far in the last three years, and leading this program has been the most fulfilling experience of my life,” Cayden continued. “We are ready to get back to Nationals this year.” This year’s TSA National Conference will be held in Nashville, Tenn. in June 2025.