WESTOVER – The Westwood Middle School Technology Student Association has the talent and the credentials required to participate in the 2026 National TSA Conference.
They just need a little help getting there.
The Technology Student Association is a national nonprofit career and technical student organization of middle and high school students engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Today, more than 300,000 students participate in TSA in some capacity.
During Monday’s meeting of Westover City Council, Westwood EdTech Leader Crissy McCabe said the 10-girl team is hoping to raise $8,000 to get four representatives to Washington D.C. for the June 22-26 conference.
They recently earned the opportunity during the West Virginia TSA State Conference in March.
“We went to the state competition, and we cleaned up,” McCabe said. “It’s a strong female-led team this year. At the state competition, they were able to get seven first-place finishes, five second-place finishes and three third-place finishes with 10 girls. They maxed out all their competitions. They’re very driven.”
At the state level, the team was able to take the top spot in audio podcasting, forensics, inventions/innovations, PVC kayak, logo design, mechanical engineering and promotional marketing.
“We’re invited to the national competition a week before America’s 250th birthday, so it is incredibly expensive,” McCabe said, explaining she’s working to raise the entire amount needed.
McCabe said hotel rooms must be secured by May 1, but contributions would be welcome beyond that point.
She’s hopeful the city, and the community, may be able to pitch in.
Westover Mayor Bob Lucci said the earliest city council could consider making a contribution would be during its May 4 meeting.
For more information on the Technology Student Association program, check out tsaweb.org.
To help support the Westwood Middle School TSA team’s trip to nationals, go to tinyurl.com/WestwoodTSA or contact McCabe at cmccabe@k12.wv.us.
Earlier in the meeting, council approved $500 in support of the newly formed Westwood Middle School National Junior High Honor Society.
Westwood’s Brandi Wolfe previously approached the city requesting $300 to help cover dues for the new chapter.
“It’s a chance to showcase all of the wonderful talent that we do have at Westwood and in the Westover community,” she said. “I’ve been at Westwood for 19 years, and it is time that we start to showcase how wonderful we actually are. We have amazing students up there that come from your community as well as Granville and the surrounding area.”
Wolfe said the school will hold its first inauguration of NHS inductees in May.
