Bennett’s Mill racks up wins at state tech competition

Bennett’s Mill Middle was a big winner at the Georgia Technology Student Association (TSA) State Leadership Conference.

Months of hard work, including Saturdays, paid off as the Broncos got familiar with the winners podium. The Broncos finished in the top 3rd of state chapters, with more than 40 middle schools participating. All 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers qualify for nationals, and the Broncos qualified in 8 of 15 events.

Kaden Jawwaad and Leah Hill won 1st place for both Challenging Technology Issues and Chapter of Excellence. Kaitlyn Henderson won 1st place for Digital Photography. Joshua Hairston, Paxtin Phanthapanya, Kameron Gardner, and Aubrey Thompson won 1st place for Off the Grid. Kaden Jawwaad won 1st place for Prepared Speech.

Philip Henderson, Trianna Ha, and Davyn Moore placed 2nd for Leadership Strategies. Jacob Jenkins, Harrison Braitwaithe, and Faraji Byrd placed 2nd for STEM Animation.

Kaden Jawwaad, Leah Hill, Faraji Byrd, Philip Henderson, Quentin Henderson, and Trianna Ha placed 3rd for Chapter Team. Trianna Ha, Philip Henderson, and Amani Kent placed 3rd for Microcontroller. Kameron Gardner and Aubrey Thompson placed 3rd for Problem Solving. Alex Moore, Kameron Jones, Joshua Hairston, Leah Hill, Cayden Kemp, and Zion Enada placed 3rd for Website Design.

Kaden Jawwaad served as 2nd VP state officer and was again elected as state officer secretary. Jawwaad was the driving force behind getting Governor Brian Kemp at the opening session. 

“GATSA state competition is not just about the trophy though. It is where students learn that the best part of success is sometimes a failure and that leadership at any age is possible,” said Bennett’s Mill technology teacher Susan Hall. “I am incredibly proud of these students. They set goals and made them happen.”