Bearcats of Decatur County Shine at 2025 Southwest Regional GaSTC Technology Competition

Bearcats of Decatur County Shine at 2025 Southwest Regional GaSTC Technology Competition

 

Decatur County students showcased their impressive technology skills at the recent Southwestern Regional Technology Competition, bringing home numerous awards and demonstrating that the future of tech innovation is bright in Bearcat Country. Competing as part of the state GaSTC season in a variety of categories, these young innovators from grades 3 through 12 made their mark with creative and technical projects that highlighted their ingenuity and problem-solving abilities.

Award-Winning Categories

The competition featured several categories designed to challenge students' technological expertise and creativity. Below are some highlights of the categories in which our Bearcat students excelled:

• 3D Modeling: Students demonstrated their ability to design virtual models for real-world applications.

• Animation: Creativity came to life through motion graphics and digital storytelling.

• Digital Photography: Capturing the world through a digital lens, students showcased their artistic and technical skills.

• Game Design: Participants created interactive games, blending programming and user experience.

• Internet Applications: Projects focused on web-based solutions and applications.

• Multimedia: A fusion of audio, video, and graphics to create compelling content.

• Project Programming: Students showcased their coding skills by developing software solutions to address specific challenges.

• Robotics: Hands-on problem-solving with programmable machines.

• Video Production: Storytelling through high-quality video content.

• Audio Production: Crafting immersive sound experiences.

Decatur County Student Award Winners by Category

3D Modeling

• (3-4): 2nd place - Perry Wade

• (5-6): 1st place - Mia Rosario and Se'Renati Shuler

• (5-6): 2nd place - Korvyn Reffitt

• (7-8): 1st place - Joel Aguayo and Joseph Farmer

• (9-10): 2nd place - Madelyn Kirkland

Animation

• (3-4): 1st place - Cameron White

• (5-6): 3rd place - Eliana Cristian

• (7-8): 1st place - Devin McGriff

• (7-8): 1st place - Kirsten Barfield and Jessi Layne Reynolds

• (9-10): 1st place - Alan Nix

Audio Production

• (9-10): 1st place - Arian Blocker

Digital Photography

• (3-4): 1st place - Alanna Phillips

• (5-6): 1st place - Samantha Aguayo and Alana Webb

Game Design

• (3-4): 3rd place - Natalie Cutchin and Juliana Coleman

• (5-6): 2nd place - John Adams and Zachary Ong

• (5-6): 1st place - Tammy Benter

• (7-8): 1st place - Kathi Lai

• (9-10): 1st place - Kacey Kearns

Graphic Design

• (5-6): 1st place - Beatriz Martinez and Abigail Eddenfield

• (9-10): 1st place - Erlinda Antonio

• (11-12): 2nd place - Laney Walker

Internet Application

• (3-4): 1st place - Serenity Jones

• (5-6): 2nd place - Jace Osborne

Multimedia

• (3-4): 1st place - Alexis Freeman and Esther Mills

• (5-6): 1st place - Sampson Moye and Samuel Keel

Photo Production

• (9-10): 1st place - Joy Mills

• (11-12): 1st place - Laniyiah Clayton

Project Programming

• (3-4): 1st place - Lauren Smith and Morgan Swain

• (5-6): 1st place - Rishav Patel and Nashawn Rand

• (5-6): 2nd place - Bently Boyett and Ayden Wolford

Robotics

• (3-4): 3rd place - Jace Heard and Bailey Rollins

• (5-6): 2nd place - Charlie Griffin and Kaylee Kale

• (5-6): 3rd place - Kyler Gleeson and Luke Lyons

• (11-12): 2nd place - Richard Black and Hunter Black

Video Production

• (3-4): 1st place - Lanorris Hayes

• (5-6): 2nd place - Allison Bailey and Noor Abueisheh

• (7-8): 1st place - Aydan Thompson

Tournament Leadership and Community Involvement

The tournament was organized by a team: Amy Zock, Director of Instructional Technology for Decatur County, and Kristy Johnson, Technology Director for Seminole County with special recognition going to Samantha Palmer and Mary Jo Boutwell, who were instrumental in supporting and guiding the students throughout the competition while organizing the chaos behind the scenes. Their dedication played a significant role in the students' success.

Local community members also contributed to the event by serving as judges, bringing their expertise in technology, computer science, business, and industry. Their involvement provided valuable insights and encouragement to the young competitors. It wasn't all competition at the lively event; students had the opportunity to collaborate and share ideas with their peers from Lee County, Seminole County, and Thomas County. Adding to the excitement, Boxlight, a Decatur County "Thought Partner" brought their STEM van to the tournament. Students enjoyed hands-on activities, learning more about 3D printing, and competing to build and launch rockets. Some even won tech prizes like Legos and mini Spheros for their networking and collaboration duing throughout the day.The event was a fantastic platform for sharing projects, strategies, and fun. Everyone had fun and learned something new along the way.

The Importance of Technology Skills

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, technological literacy is no longer optional—it’s essential. The skills these students are developing will prepare them for future careers in fields such as agriculture tech, mechatronics, software development, engineering, digital media, drones and more. By participating in competitions like this, students gain real-world experience that nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

A Vision for Future-Ready Students

Decatur County Schools is proud to be Georgia’s first WOZ ED Pathway district, an initiative inspired by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak’s vision for hands-on, career-focused education that emphasizes incorporating technology skills into all aspects of career development. Through this innovative partnership, the district is focused on equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st-century workforce. By blending academic knowledge with practical experience, Decatur County Schools is paving the way for students to explore and excel in high-demand tech fields. The experiences students have had in the first year as a WOZ ED Pathways district helped prepare these Bearcats for success in the various technology categories of the competition.

Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead

The success of our students at the Southwestern Regional Technology Competition is just the beginning. As Decatur County Schools continues to invest in technology education, we look forward to seeing even more Bearcats make their mark on the world of technology.

Congratulations to all the students who participated and represented Decatur County with pride and excellence. Your achievements inspire us all to dream big, innovate, and lead the way toward a brighter, tech-driven future.