How TSA is Shaping the Future of Timpview’s Next STEM Leader: Veronica Gao

September 18th, 2024 /
Spencer Tuinei /
CTE, News, Secondary Schools, Timpview High

Timpview High has hosted many bonafide students and almuni, over the years: stars like Harvey Unga, Stephen Paea, and current Utes newcomer Spencer Fano have claimed headlines for their football prowess. Jenna Johnson strutted her stuff and wowed audiences in her run on Dancing with the Stars.

Now, add Veronica Gao to that list.

Too rarely do we celebrate those who achieve academically, and make role models for those working in the sciences. Veronica Gao is changing that and is an inspirational role model for young women in STEM. She is a student worthy of praise, and a person to follow in the coming years.

As a standout member of the Technology Student Association (TSA), Veronica has amassed a remarkable collection of accolades, setting a high bar for her peers. Gao has competed in TSA competitions for the past few years, earning first place in Prepared Speech, third place in Promotional Marketing, top twelve in Promotional Design, and seventh place in Essays on Technology at national competitions. She’s involved with Youth Court, volunteering, and the arts. In 2023, Veronica was the Utah representative for the Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew where she received a letter of recognition from Vice President Kamala Harris for her STEM advocacy. She’s been a state officer within TSA and was a national officer candidate this past year.

We recently sat down with Veronica to reflect on her journey with TSA, explore her plans for the upcoming year, and discover how students can get involved in this dynamic organization.

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Q: Are there any other clubs or activities you’re involved with outside of TSA?

I volunteer a lot. I’m part of the Provo City Youth Court and the Provo City Youth Council and have just started volunteering at the Springville Art Museum.

Q: We spoke a few years ago about your aspirations; you wanted to be a lawyer then. Have they changed since then?

A: Yeah, I would be the first one in my family to go into law if I did go into law, but since starting high school and getting more involved with TSA, I’ve shifted more towards going into medicine or something in engineering.

With law, I’ve realized that I’m actually just interested in helping people, so I’ve started doing all these volunteering activities.

It wasn’t until I got involved with the Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew in the ninth grade– is a group of 50 girls, one from each state, who represent their state in afterschool STEM, with a goal of involving a million more girls in STEM– that I realized I’m more interested in medicine.

That experience helped me realize I can help people within the STEM field, and then it can build upon what I’m doing in high school and what I’m doing with TSA and help my career path.

Q: What drew you to TSA, and what did that first year with TSA?

A: Well, it’s kind of a cliched story. I was sitting in my 7th-grade robotics class, and I saw the TSA sign in his room out of the corner of my eye. Like everyone else, I vaguely thought it was related to airport security. But it wasn’t.

So, at the next parent-teacher conference, I had my mom ask my teacher about TSA because I was too scared. However, he said that it was competition-based and had many leadership opportunities. I was intrigued because I’ve heard of all these CTSOs, but I never really knew there was one for STEM, like TSA.

Since then, I’ve been involved every year. I’ve done leadership, competitions, and nationals, and it’s been great.

Q: How have the competitions gone for you? Please give us a brief overview of what you’ve done each year and what nationals were like

A: My ninth-grade year was my first in-person nationals, and at that nationals, I placed first in a prepared speech and then third in promotional marketing, which is a graphic design competition. Last year at state, I put my ninth-grade year, I placed, and then I went to nationals as a part of being a state officer.

And then, this past Nationals, I actually ran for national office, which was pretty crazy. I gave a speech in front of 9,000 people, I had a Q&A, and I had a five-hour meet-and-greet, which, even though I didn’t make it to the national office, was an amazing experience. It was great to get more involved with the National TSA.

At this same national competition, I placed in the top twelfth for Promotional Design, another graphic design competition, and took seventh in Essays on Technology.

Q: Do you have a favorite project you’ve put forward or an essay you’ve done for a competition? Is there something that sticks out in your mind that is your favorite?

A: I took first at nationals in the eighth grade with my speech. I taught myself how to speak publicly beforehand. I spent so much time putting effort into it. I spent so much time memorizing it. And I think—because I tied stories about my life into the speech, that it was something I’ll never forget, and I’m proud of.

It was tied to my first in-person nationals and a great experience that taught me a lot.

Q: What was traveling to Nationals like?

A: Traveling with your school is a unique experience, because you’re with these people every day at the same location day after day, but now you’re in a different state, doing weird, new, challenging activities and meeting all these people—you can’t get that experience anywhere else. I hung out a lot with my fellow state officers and met many people from other states, and it’s just an experience you can’t get anywhere else.

Q: What is it like to work in an office, including running for state office, and running for national office? What are the stressors involved, and what is the required work?

A: Being a part of the state officer team is great because you get insight into how a CTSO is run on the state level. You get a lot of input about what students want to see and what you want to see put into the CTSO.

For Utah, the TSA state level is relatively relaxed because there’s no election involved. But on the national level, it’s wild. As I said, you have to give this speech at a general session in front of all the members of TSA. The next day, you have to do a Q&A, where you draw a question from the basket and have 30 seconds to answer it. Then, that same day, you have a meet and greet, with handouts for guests, like stickers and buttons. You’re just standing in this long hallway with all the other candidates, and all these voting delegates come up and talk to you, so you repeatedly give the same little spiel.

You meet all these people, and it’s a super fun experience, but it’s stressful because you’re up late every day. You have to wake up every morning to practice your speech and prepare for another big day, but it’s still amazing. And again, you can’t replicate that sort of real-world stress anywhere else.

It’s five hours repeating the thing with the same energy like this is good, you know, it’s a lot. But I’m going to do it again this year.

Q: What is TSA to you? Why choose STEM projects, particularly if you’re a girl and know that field might not be advertised to you?

A: You have to break it down into impact and people. Because I’ve learned so much that I can use for my future. I learned how to speak; I learned how to do graphic design. I’ve made so many connections across the state and across the nation. I’ve had experiences I couldn’t have had anywhere else. It’s hard to find a group of people with the same hobbies as you do the same things. I’ve loved being a part of TSA.

Q: How does your family feel about your TSA experience?

A: They’re just really supportive. It’s not like they won’t love me if I don’t win. Of course. Yeah, they help me along the way, and it’s nice to have them, you know, like on this journey with me.

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We thank Veronica Gao for her time and are incredibly grateful for her example.

Like Veronica Gao, you can embark on a transformative journey with TSA. Reach out to your school’s TSA Advisor to learn more about getting involved in TSA and exploring opportunities for leadership, competition, and skill-building. Whether aiming for national recognition or simply expanding your horizons, TSA offers a platform to grow, connect, and excel. Start your journey today and discover the impact it can have on your future.

Learn more about Utah TSA below.