20 Colonial students earn finalist awards at national conference
20 Colonial students earn finalist awards at national conference
Seen here are sixth-graders Mackenzie Jacobs and Nemina Sheth, who placed first in mechanical engineering.
A Colonial Middle School team of sixth-graders earned the Mechanical Engineering National Championship at the 48th National Technology Student Association (TSA) Conference held this summer. The duo of Mackenzie Jacobs and Nemina Sheth join an small and elite group of middle school students who have finished first at the national level over the last 20 years.
Mackenzie and Nemina were joined by fellow TSA students from both the middle school and Plymouth Whitemarsh High School at the conference held in Maryland. Other highlights included the second-place finish for eighth-graders Aranya Bava, Saanvi Pattnaik, and Stuti Upadhya in Medical Technology. Colonial students distinguished themselves by earning national recognition in several highly competitive events that are part of this annual conference, which brings together more than 9,500 middle and high school students for competitions and leadership activities related to science, technology, engineering, and math.
Here's a look at the team's results:
Seen here are eighth-graders Aranya Bava, Saanvi Pattnaik, and Stuti Upadhya, who placed second in medical technology.
Colonial Middle School National Finalists
Mechanical Engineering – 1st Place
Mackenzie Jacobs, Nemina Sheth
Medical Technology – 2nd Place
Aranya Bava, Saanvi Pattnaik, Stuti Upadhya
Structural Engineering – 5th Place
Mackenzie Jacobs, Quinn Lemke
Promotional Marketing – 10th Place
Aranya Bava
Coding – 10th Place
Aviyat Anand, Sivacharan Kathirvel
Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School National Finalists
The students' success at the national level followed an outstanding performance at the Pennsylvania TSA State Conference, where Colonial Middle School earned 21 national qualifying placements and Colonial High School earned seven national qualifying placements. These achievements secured Colonial's representation at the 2026 National TSA Conference and demonstrated the depth and strength of the district's TSA program.
Founded 24 years ago by Colonial TSA Advisors Clint and Diana Rickert, Colonial's TSA chapter has grown into one of Pennsylvania's most successful STEM student organizations. Under the Rickerts’ leadership, students have consistently excelled at the regional, state, and national levels while developing the technical, leadership, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for future academic and career success. Today, the chapter continues its tradition of excellence, with Colonial students earning multiple top ten finishes against the nation's best STEM competitors at the 2026 National TSA Conference.
In addition to leading Colonial's award-winning chapter, the Rickerts serve as the leadership for Pennsylvania TSA Region 10, along with both serving on the PA-TSA BOD; Mr. Rickert as President-Elect and Mrs. Rickert as the Director of Technology, further strengthening opportunities for students throughout the region and state.
If you have a child interested in joining TSA, please have them attend the upcoming kick-off meeting on Monday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Colonial Middle School auditorium.
