DISTRICT STUDENTS TAKE TOP HONORS AT STATE
TECHNOLOGY STUDENT ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

(BRADENTON, FL - April 27, 2008) When 6 buses arrived back at the Manatee School District's Support Center from Orlando today, 188 students returned with a record number of awards after three days of competing against more than 900 of the state's top technology students.

Manatee District Schools represented the largest contingent at the Annual Florida Technology Student Association (TSA) Conference with eight middle schools and four of the district's high schools represented. Students competed in a total of 68 events ranging from Robotics and Cyberspace Pursuit to Structural Engineering offered over three days of competition. When the results were in, Manatee's students grabbed a total of 103 top three finishes, a record for the district. There were an unprecedented number of more than 534 top 10 student finishes amongst the 12 schools, more than any other Florida school district attending the conference.

STATE TOP HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS:
*Lakewood Ranch High School - Second Overall
**Southeast High School - Third Overall

STATE TOP MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS:
*** Haile Middle School - Second Overall
****Harllee Middle School - Third Overall

In addition, Lakewood Ranch High and Southeast High Schools won the coveted "Outstanding High School" awards placing second and third in the state respectively and Haile Middle School and Harllee Middle School took home second and third place awards as well for "Outstanding Middle School" for top state performance in all categories entered. For the second year in a row, Southeast High's "Formula One In Schools" Team won First Place, qualifying the team for national and international competition.

"The results of the TSA Conference show how Manatee County is leading the way in technology education in the State," stated Dr. Roger Dearing, Superintendent.

Manatee's first place finishers have earned a trip to the TSA National Convention in Orlando in June where they will compete against top students from across the nation.

TSA is more popular than ever across the nation and challenges middle and high school students to pursue careers which meet the increasing needs of an ever-changing world with emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math. The mission of the Technology Student Association is to prepare its membership for the challenges of a dynamic world by promoting technological literacy, leadership, and problem solving skills, resulting in personal growth and opportunities.

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