Sussex Academy Technology Student Association students captured first and third place medals in their events at the 2026 Delaware TSA State Leadership Conference at University of Delaware March 30-31, with one team qualifying for national competition for the first time in school history.

Dylan Navarrette Lopez, Alex De La Rosa Lopez and Mia Clarisse Benito placed first in Systems Control Technology and Jackson Marine and Will Kent placed third in Structural Engineering.

STEM teacher and TSA advisor Tim Elmer said he was very proud of his team’s accomplishments this year.

“They spent many hours after school preparing for the events and the awards were well deserved,” Elmer said.

The first-place team comprising Dylan Navarrette Lopez, Alex De La Rosa Lopez and Mia Clarisse Benito will head to the 2026 National TSA Conference, set for June 22-26 in Washington, D.C.

Students competed against nearly 1,000 middle and high school students from 40 schools across the state to demonstrate their achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Students could try their hands at 66 competitive events spanning engineering design, robotics, cybersecurity, digital media, drones (UAV) and other technologies through a combination of virtual competitions conducted throughout the year and live, on-site events.