Student Guest Blog: Becoming a Leader Through STEM

 We are excited to feature Hannah Selph, a junior at Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville as our guest blogger. Hannah is on the Executive Council  for the Technology Student Association (TSA), an international student organization that seeks to develop student leaders in STEM. She will be leading a session at the Tennessee STEM Innovation Summit about […]Read more The post Student Guest Blog: Becoming a Leader Through STEM appeared first on Tennessee STEM Innovation Network.

 We are excited to feature Hannah Selph, a junior at Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville as our guest blogger. Hannah is on the Executive Council  for the Technology Student Association (TSA), an international student organization that seeks to develop student leaders in STEM. She will be leading a session at the Tennessee STEM Innovation Summit about the benefits of TSA and how to start a new chapter or support an existing one.

Hannah Selph

My name is Hannah Selph, and I am currently a junior at Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee. In middle school, I stumbled into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) by pure accident. I had always been good at math and science, but as an 11-year-old, I had no idea how that skill set might translate to the rest of my life.

As a sixth grader, my teacher approached me about an interesting opportunity. She knew I was a smart kid, so she invited me to join our school’s Technology Student Association (TSA) Chapter. At first I was resistant; I thought it was going to be strictly about robots and computers, not really interests of mine. However, I liked the teacher, so I agreed to go to the first meeting. And on a Tuesday afternoon in 2012, I walked into the Karns Middle School (KMS) Library and my life changed forever. That day, I was introduced to the organization that would define my future and shape not only my academic course, but my personal life as well.

I joined the Go Green Manufacturing, Community Service Video, Promotional Design, and Chapter teams. There, I created a recyclable innovative product, organized and video-recorded a community service event for the American Cancer Society, created a graphic pin design, and worked with a team to run a professional business meeting according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

I saw firsthand the amazing things middle and high schoolers can do if challenged and supported. For Pete’s sake, what middle schooler reads the eleventh edition of Robert’s Rules of Order for fun? Oh, right, that was me!

My first year, I made the KMS TSA regional, state, and national competitive team. I was extremely proud. Then something unbelievable happened: I won first place for my promotional design at the 2013 National TSA Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Fast forward to my eighth grade year, when I made one of the scariest, yet most rewarding decisions of my life. I decided to push my TSA experience to the next level and I ran for Tennessee TSA state office as a middle schooler. I knew I wanted to run for state office eventually, when I was in high school, but it never occurred to me to run sooner. I doubted my ability to win, being in middle school, and my insecurities almost held me back. But if TSA had taught me anything, it was that I can push boundaries to challenge myself, and I’m good at sharing my ideas. Prompted by my advisor and a previous state officer, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give a campaign a try.

I ran against eight scary high-schoolers. I was terrified; I’m not exaggerating. You don’t know intimidation until you, as a little middle-schooler, go over to the senior state officers and tell them your ideas for the state delegation. But, I got through it.

I remember waiting in the delegate area during voting, feeling like I was about to throw up from anxiety. But I also remember squeezing my advisor’s hand as hard as I could while we waited for the results, and then giving her a hug as they announced my name. That day, I was chosen over two rising seniors and a rising sophomore to become Sergeant at Arms, and I was elated. All my hard work had paid off. I was going to be a state officer. Little did I know, I would be on a team with the people who would become my best friends, growing together, enjoying some of the best experiences of our lives.

Tennessee TSA Executive Council

Being on the TN TSA Executive Council was amazing; it gave me new opportunities to explore. I was able to see the inside of an organization that is solely student based. No angle, no ulterior motive, simply an organization providing amazing STEM opportunities to kids like me, letting them explore their technical passions and encouraging them to prepare for their futures in the STEM workforce.

I was charged with speaking to other TSA members and leaders, other Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) officers, and state legislators. I grew as a public speaker through firsthand experience. As a leader, I gained an even larger desire to help others find their passion through TSA and grow as leaders themselves. My five teammates that year also became my five closest friends. We talked every day, and we still talk often.

I was initially driven by the competitive challenge TSA offered, learning about videography, debate skills, technical business procedure, and even computer software. But the leadership and friendship opportunities are what kept me involved. That is the brilliance of TSA and (Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) like it. They are fun, engage the technical minds of students, and provide an environment to belong and to be encouraged.

I am currently an intern for the Tennessee TSA Department of Education and serve as the TN TSA State Officer Coach. I get to work with this year’s officer team, create plans and materials for our delegation, and continue our mission of STEM advocacy by working with organizations like the  Tennessee STEM Innovation Network and the MakerMinded program. These unique opportunities have made the difference in my leadership experience.

Educators and policy makers , I humbly encourage you to get and stay involved with Career and Technical education, and Career and Technical student organizations (which include TSA, HOSA, DECA, FCCLA, FBLA, FFA, and SkillsUSA).

STEM teachers , I ask you to continue personally encouraging students like me to explore the magic behind the technical facets of our world, and help them find where they fit in.

Students , there is a place in STEM for each of you that fits your personality, skills, and interests. Jump in and try new things. Not only will it be a lot of fun (I’ll save the crazy stories for another time!), but you might end up finding potential careers.

Through TSA, I learned that I want to study law and influence education policy as a career. TSA helped me discover these passions, and develop the skill set to pursue that future. My STEM story is not even close to being over. I am excited to continue to make new friends, reach more students, and share just how cool Career and Technical education can be. Thank you, TSA, for helping students like me prepare for our futures in this technical world.

To learn more about TSA or to connect with Hannah, please feel free to email her at Hannah.selph@tntsa.org or follow her on Twitter at Hannah_Selph. We also hope you will join us at the 2018 STEM Innovation Summit , where you can attend Hannah’s sessions as well as our other 40 learning sessions focused on STEM leadership and integration.

The post Student Guest Blog: Becoming a Leader Through STEM appeared first on Tennessee STEM Innovation Network.