Written by: Jill Beuk | Computer Science & Engineering Department |Academic Magnet High School 

Forty-five students from Academic Magnet High School traveled to Washington, D.C. from June 22–26 to compete at the 2026 Technology Student Association (TSA) National Conference held in Washington, D.C., and they returned home having made South Carolina TSA history.

For the first time ever, a South Carolina school earned Top 10 national finishes in three different TSA events during the same conference. Academic Magnet was also the only school from South Carolina to place in the Top 10 this year, showcasing the talent, dedication, and hard work of its students.

Among the school’s standout performances, Xi Chen, Keerthana Samuel, Victoria Haber, Chloe Hwang, and Lois Hwant earned an impressive 4th Place nationally in Children’s Stories, an event that combines creativity, technology, and storytelling. Their project stood out among competitors from across the country and earned them a place on the national stage.

In CAD Engineering, Zavier Nutting earned 7th Place nationally, demonstrating exceptional engineering and design skills in one of TSA’s most challenging technical competitions.

Academic Magnet’s computer science students also had an outstanding showing. All three of the school’s Coding teams advanced to the national semifinals, an achievement that few schools can claim. The team of Jacob Beuk and Roger Shi continued their impressive run through the competition and finished among the Top 10 teams in the nation.

“What makes this accomplishment so special is not just placing in the top 10, but the journey these students took to get there,” said TSA Advisor Jill Beuk. “They spent countless hours after school, on weekends, and throughout the year preparing for these events. Watching them compete against the best students in the country and seeing their hard work pay off was incredibly rewarding.”

The TSA National Conference brings together thousands of students from across the United States to compete in STEM-related events that challenge their knowledge, creativity, leadership, teamwork, and technical skills. Simply qualifying for nationals is a significant accomplishment; earning Top 10 finishes places students among the very best in the country.

Academic Magnet’s National Top 10 Finishes
4th Place – Children’s Stories: Xi Chen, Keerthana Samuel, Victoria Haber, Chloe Hwang, and Lois Hwang
7th Place – CAD Engineering: Zavier Jones
Top 10 – Coding: Jacob Beuk and Roger Li

In addition to these national recognitions, all three Academic Magnet Coding teams (Rashad Abbas, Sameen Basunia, Jacob Beuk, Tig Northrup, Berkay Sahin, and Roger Shi) advanced to the semifinals, highlighting the strength and depth of the school’s computer science program.

The success at the 2026 TSA National Conference reflects Academic Magnet’s commitment to excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. More importantly, it reflects the dedication, perseverance, and passion of the students who represented their school, their community, and the state of South Carolina with pride.

As the students returned home from Washington, D.C., they brought back more than awards and trophies, they brought back a historic achievement that will serve as an inspiration for future generations of Academic Magnet TSA members.