One could consider Harriton an anomalous and fun chapter when compared to others within the organization. Every Wednesday a group of students with diverse interests meet to work on their events. Students can be found in the workshop sanding down dragsters, in the classroom practicing speeches, and meeting with advisors to discuss fundraising options. Harriton TSA is also a community, coming together outside of the classroom to celebrate holidays like halloween.
As the most coveted belief at Harriton TSA, community service is a key element of chapter functions. We believe that it is pointless for our members to learn extensive STEM skills if they do not use them to serve their community. Harriton TSA has participated in a plethora of activities to support the community. For example, this past year several members of Harriton TSA organized and ran a Super Smash Bros tournament and raised $300 for the American Cancer Society. In addition, Harriton TSA is involved in activities within our school. Last year, the Harriton TSA chapter hosted a Relay for Life, an event created by the American Cancer Society. The chapter raised over $3000 and henceforth received the Purple Award from National TSA.
Alumnus of Millersville University, Mr. Chris Weaver is a Technology Education teacher at Welsh Valley Middle School which feeds directly into Harriton. He has coached Welsh Valley TSA for many years, acting as our advisor back in our middle school days. Ever since our chapter lost its previous advisors Mr. Weaver and Mr. Brockman have graciously accepted our chapter into their workshop and their schedules.
Alumnus of California Univerity of Pennyslvania, Mr. Timothy Brockman also teaches Technology Education at Welsh Valley Middle School. He has also taught there longer than we can remember, dishing out brownie points when we were middle schoolers for smart, nice, or funny things – acting anything but like the middle schoolers we were.
After four thrilling days of STEM competitions and leadership sessions, the Harriton Chapter of the Technology Student Association returned from the PA-TSA 2016 State Conference with 23 top 10 finishes! This is the up from 16 last year, and is the greatest number of top 10 finishes in HHS TSA history! The TSA organization does not officially keep a team score, but if they did Harriton would have taken third place as a team. The TSA members represented Harriton High School with gracious professionalism throughout the entire conference. Top highlights included a first place finish in Webmaster as well as a first and second place sweep in Chapter Team Written.
Harriton is infamous for sending a wealth of candidates for state office. Harriton has had one state president in the past and currently has 4 state officers serving: Ben Abt - PATSA Reporter, Francis Chalissery - PATSA Treasurer, Etan Ginsberg - PATSA Secretary, Catherine Liu - PATSA Vice-President.
Most impressive of all, Harriton has held the TSA national president of 2012-2013, Dhruv Pillai. Dhruv is currently attending Harvard University and graduated as valedictorian from Harriton High School.
A unique aspect of involvement for Harriton TSA is the special interest sessions it helps to host at the state conference. This past year, several members of HHSTSA organized and ran a Super Smash Bros tournament to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Over $300 was raised for that tournament and the building was packed with TSA gamers eager to participate in the session.
"Learning to Live in a Technical World" - this motto of TSA describes the essense of what TSA aspires to do. Members learn valuable skills to thrive in the 21st century. This motto is also recited at the end of every Chapter Team competition.
"I believe that Technology Education holds an important place in my life in the technical world. I believe there is a need for the development of good attitudes concerning work, tools, materials, experimentation, and processes of industry. Guided by my teachers, artisans from industry, and my own initiative, I will strive to do my best in making my school, community, state, and nation better places in which to live. I will accept the responsibilities that are mine. I will accept the theories that are supported by proper evidence. I will explore on my own for safer, more effective methods of working and living. I will strive to develop a cooperative attitude and will exercise tact and respect for other individuals. Through the work of my hands and mind, I will express my ideas to the best of my ability. I will make it my goal to do better each day the task before me, and to be steadfast in my belief in my God, and my fellow Americans."
"The Technology Student Association fosters personal growth, leadership, and opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); members apply and integrate these concepts through co-curricular activities, competitions, and related programs. "