Tradition Preparatory High School, Symposium 2024
Article provided by Tradition Prep HS/Photos by MaryAnn Ketcham
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2024
Contact: Christiana Coburn, principal
Tradition Preparatory High School
Tradition Preparatory High School Hosts Inaugural Student Symposium
PORT SAINT LUCIE, Fl. (DATE) – Tradition Preparatory High School hosted its first-ever Student Symposium, on March 28 at the new high school located at 10970 Tradition Parkway, Port Saint Lucie. The Symposium featured a diverse range of events and activities highlighting the academic achievements and community engagement of Tradition Prep students and the surrounding community.
The Symposium included student research presentations as well as a career fair and college fair, providing students with valuable insights into various career paths and educational opportunities. Additionally, students had opportunity to attend information sessions, many led by their school mates, on topics such as biomedical interventions, computer science and engineering investigations, current cellular biology and chemistry research, internships, Florida Atlantic Marine Research, FIU research, environmental issues, and robotics.
“It was inspiring; it reignited my excitement for learning,” said senior Sam Pacheco. Pacheco said he especially appreciated the peer-to-peer learning opportunities that helped presenters practice their social skills and share their learning. “Research shows we learn by doing and learn better from our peers. It benefits us and others.”
Master Classes in the theater and musical arts were given by Tradition Prep teachers and local professionals and talks on a variety of topics included Running and Operating a Small Business Franchise, How to Manage Life as a Collegiate Athlete, and Life After High School.
The Symposium featured how-to sessions aimed at preparing the first senior class for college and life beyond high school. Having that view onto the future was immeasurable, said junior Tamia Gayle. “Being able to ask questions and get feedback about college and the working world was really helpful,” she said, praising the wide variety of sessions to choose from. “And it was a lot of fun.”
Beep and Tim, the self-driving cars in Tradition, made a cameo appearance as Tradition Prep's own 11th-grade student Ava Shelly, the youngest female pilot to complete three solo flights, arrived on the school’s sports field via helicopter.
In keeping with Tradition Prep's commitment to civic engagement, the Symposium also provided information and opportunities for voter registration and community involvement. Future voters aged 16 received info on how to pre-register to vote, ensuring that they are automatically on the voter rolls when they turn 18. Representative Tobin Overdorf, Saint Lucie County Commissioner Cathy Townsend and Saint Lucie County Election Supervisor Gertrude Walker were guest speakers in those sessions.
"Our first-ever Student Symposium, which showcased the incredible talents and achievements of our students, provided them with guidance on what awaits them beyond our four walls,” said Principal Christiana Coburn. “It is important to offer these kinds of experiences to our students and engage them in new ways of thinking about their future and how their education can help them achieve their goals.
