From June 26-30, ten College of Communication and Information (CCI) students and one CCI alumna presented at the National Technology Student Association (TSA) Conference in Orlando, Florida. 

TSA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing personal development, leadership, and career opportunities for high school and middle school students in STEM. Members compete in over 70 different technology categories and attend professional development workshops.

The students who attended, all members of the FSU Students & Technology in Academia, Research, and Service (STARS) alliance, presented in seven sessions addressing collaboration, leadership, and teamwork to audiences of over 1,000 TSA members from all around the country. They also covered transferable skills including public speaking, communication, and critical thinking, which are vital for long-term career success. 

“Meeting the kids that competed at TSA nationals was truly inspiring! They got to work during summer and exhibited the most impressive leadership skills at such young ages. It was also fun to witness the professional growth of my fellow CCI students,” said Media & Communication student Olivia O’Hay. 

“TSA Nationals was a real eye-opener for me as a first-time attendee. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. The students I interacted with demonstrated the incredible potential of the next generation and the energy and drive throughout the entire conference center was palpable. I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing how these bright students will shape our technology in the future,” Information Technology student Orion Qualls reflected on the experience.

“The energy and talent of the students were truly inspiring – our future is in capable hands! I’m grateful for the support of my FSU STARS organization in making this opportunity possible. Proud to be part of the TSA community and excited to see what these amazing students will achieve!” said Information Technology student Jai Reed.

“It was an amazing experience to educate and connect with students in the same situations you were in not too long ago. It truly grounds you, and allows you to remember what you were like at that age: your hopes, dreams, and how scared you were for the future. It was incredible to reassure them that they have ample time and opportunity to grow into tomorrow’s leaders. The students involved with TSA are the future!” said Information, Communication, & Technology student Bella Bozied, who also expressed her gratitude towards TSA for trusting the FSU STARS in presenting at the event, and Ebe Randeree for allowing the students the opportunity to attend.

Ebe Randeree, the director and coordinator, also traveled with the STARS students and ran two sessions for TSA Advisors and State leaders. “This was a tremendous opportunity for our students and FSU to present at a national conference. Our students were presenting to middle and high school students from across the US and their message was well received based on the post-event survey,” Randeree said. Randeree serves on the Florida TSA Board and has actively engaged FSU CCI students with TSA leadership conferences since 2008.

The CCI students who attended and presented are Jai Reed, Owen Lenten, Khylle Valle, Ava Downes, Orion Qualls, Jamie Guterman, Bella Bozied, Maggie Martin-McKinnie, Olivia O’Hay, and Betty Phipps. They were joined by CCI alumna Rhiannon Jacobson, a former STARS member who joined GM as a Software Developer four years ago.

When asked about attending the conference as an alumna, Jacobson said, “For the last 11+ years, I have watched the Florida TSA and National delegation grow into what it is today. Year after year, the competition not only gets more competitive but more impressive. It is a true honor to be allowed to present. This opportunity further emphasizes the impact STARS is making not only within the state of Florida but now on a National level. I am so grateful to have had the privilege to come back as an alumni to give back to the two organizations that have shaped me into the person I am today, and to interact with the next generation of leaders from all over the world.”