East County middle and high schools dominate TSA

Braden River High technology teacher Gil Burlew might be right when he says local students have unrivaled talent.  

At the state Technology Students Association Conference, held Feb. 24 through Feb. 27 in Orlando, East County middle and high schools dominated.

Braden River High placed first in amount of awards won, making the school state champions for the fourth consecutive year. Lakewood Ranch High placed third overall in the high school division.

Carlos E. Haile and R. Dan Nolan middle schools ranked first and second for total awards won in middle school categories, and Braden River Middle placed fourth.

Haile earned 10 first-place awards, Nolan earned seven first-place wins and Braden River won first in three categories.

The top three winners of each category will advance to the National TSA Conference from June 28 through July 2 in Nashville.

“There’s no county comparable to us,” Burlew said. “Manatee County has outstanding talent.”