BAY MINETTE — As the date for departure to Baltimore and the National Technology Student Association competition approaches, Bay Minette Middle School’s TSA group has still not raised the $20,000 needed to meet expenses for the trip.

“Our children have had car washes, yard sales, Pizza Hut coupon sales, TSA Day activity at BMES and BMIS where we asked for donations, and bagged groceries at Piggly Wiggly for donations,” said TSA Advisory Council member Sharon Trawick.

“We have had many individuals, businesses and Alabama State representatives and senators donate. The response from the community has been overwhelming,” she said.

The group was about $3,000 short in funds before Monday's city council meeting, when council members donated a total of $1,200 to the association from their contingency funds.

Further donations can be sent to Bay Minette Middle School, 1311 W. 13th Street, Bay Minette, Ala., 36507.

The students participated in the state competition April 22, besting all other middle schools and even some high schools to earn the ranking of the No. 1 TSA group in the state. From that competition, 20 students qualified to move on the national competition June 26 through July 3.

“This TSA convention will have approximately 5,000 attendees from all over the United States. There will be students there from some foreign countries as well,” she said.

“While there the children will participate in several competitions,” Trawick said. “The students have worked on these projects all year and are in the final stages of completion.”

In addition to the competitions, students will participate in leadership training sessions and the annual education fair.

“The education fair will give students the opportunity to experience exciting exhibits from leaders in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, business, industry and education.

“The students will meet representatives from the innovative corporate and educational fields focused on STEM areas,” Trawick said.

“This convention is going to be such an amazing educational opportunity for our students,” she said.