FTG Middle School STEM

Fort Gibson's very own celebrity alert 🤩 When you see Ethan, remember to give him the star treatment and say congrats!

📕 Day 6 / Final Day in Washington, DC — What a perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable TSA Nationals trip!

🏆 Right after the Awards Ceremony, where Ethan proudly received his 3rd Place National hardware, we headed out for one last day of history-packed adventures.

🪦 We started in Alexandria at George Washington’s church and grounds, walking among graves dating all the way back to 1786. From there we visited Arlington National Cemetery, where we paid our respects at the Eternal Flame for JFK, watched the solemn Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and reflected quietly among the endless rows of headstones.

🛏️ Next up was Mount Vernon, where we toured George Washington’s beautiful home. We saw the actual bed where he passed, touched the very banister he touched 227 years ago (yes, we were geeking out), and made it to the tombs of George and Martha Washington just before the rain started pouring!

🎥 On our way to the gift shop we had the funniest surprise — we stumbled feet away from actor William Franklyn-Miller (who plays Young Washington)! We were totally star-struck once Eric pointed out “the tall man in the light colored suit.” 😂

🚤 We finished the day strolling the charming streets of Old Town Alexandria, admiring the historic architecture, popping into shops, and enjoying the scenic views of the Potomac River and boats. The perfect ending was a final celebratory dinner where we raised our glasses to Ethan’s outstanding 3rd Place achievement and an amazing week together.

💗 What a journey — full of competition, history, friendship, and memories we’ll never forget. Before I wrap this up, I have to say a huge thank you to our travel crew. Amy 'Miller' Anderson, thank you for the countless hours you put into planning and organizing all of our sightseeing—you made sure we didn’t miss a thing. Eric Anderson, thank you for confidently navigating the crazy city traffic and always making sure we were taken care of. And Miles, thank you for being the best little brother, travel buddy, and biggest supporter we could ask for. This trip wouldn’t have been the same without each of you, and I’m so grateful for the memories the 5 of us made together.

🚀Until next year!

🎉 HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Ethan Anderson — 3rd Place at TSA Nationals! 👏🏼

🏆 We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Ethan is bringing home a beautiful 3rd place trophy in his CAD Foundations event at the TSA National Conference in Washington, DC!

🕰️ This is a historic moment for my time as the Fort Gibson TSA Advisor — Ethan will forever be the first of my students that has ever won a trophy at Nationals!

❤️‍🔥 Ethan has poured his heart into this event for the past two years, constantly refining his CAD skills and deepening his knowledge. Going from not placing in the Top 10 last year to earning 3rd place in the entire nation is an incredible accomplishment and a true testament to his dedication, talent, and growth.

🥹 Ethan, we are so proud of you! You’ve made your school, your family, and your community proud. This is what hard work, perseverance, and passion for STEM looks like.

🫶🏼 Thank you to his supportive family who helped make this trip and this success possible.

🚀 Now let’s go celebrate this big win!

🇺🇸 Day 5 at TSA Nationals — Ethan soaking up DC with family!

🪴 After an intense competition week, Ethan enjoyed a well-deserved day of sightseeing with his family. They kicked things off with some delicious tacos, explored the stunning U.S. Botanic Garden, watched live congressional speeches from the House of Representatives gallery, admired the breathtaking architecture of the Library of Congress, and had an adrenaline rush at Gravelly Point Park where they watched planes take off 125 feet above them!

🫂 They also made time for precious moments with extended family — the perfect mix of fun, history, and relaxation!

👏🏼 We’re proud of Ethan’s hard work and can’t wait for Friday’s Awards Ceremony. Go Oklahoma!

🪶 Day 4 at TSA Nationals — Ethan is crushing it for Oklahoma!

🏅 Ethan started the day with a smart, relaxing morning — resting up and sharpening his skills for the big moment. He proudly represented Oklahoma in the CAD Foundations event, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a Top 10 finish at Friday’s Awards Ceremony!

✈️ After competing, the Anderson family headed straight to their #1 must-see: the Udvar-Hazy Center, where they geeked out over massive airplanes, spacecraft, and all the incredible exhibits. What an amazing way to celebrate STEM in action!

🍽️ Later, we enjoyed a fun celebratory dinner with our friends from Vian, raising our glasses to their daughter and Ethan for qualifying for Nationals — so proud of these outstanding students!

🎡 The evening wrapped up with a stroll along the boardwalk, a ride on the giant Ferris wheel with epic views, and of course…more delicious Ben & Jerry’s to cap off a perfect day.

🫶🏼We’re loving every moment of this unforgettable week — blending competition, friendship, and family memories. Go Oklahoma TSA!

❤️ Day 3 in Washington, DC — TSA Nationals is officially underway!

🇺🇸 We kicked off the day at the inspiring Opening General Session, which began with the exciting Parade of State Flags. We were proud to see Oklahoma recognized as one of only 5 states named a 2026 Forward to Fifty State Delegation! This honors our state for making outstanding progress toward TSA’s goal of 3,000 chapters and/or 500,000 members by the 50th anniversary in 2028. National TSA officer candidates also delivered their powerful campaign speeches in preparation for Thursday’s election.

✈️ While I helped coordinate a competitive event, the Anderson family explored the Air & Space Museum, getting an up-close look at incredible planes and learning so much about aviation and space exploration.

📜 We then met up at the Museum of the Bible for a meaningful short visit, where we viewed the Dead Sea Scrolls and enjoyed an immersive experience into the Bible.

💻 This evening, Ethan is putting in focused review time for his CAD event and getting much-needed rest as he prepares for his big competition day tomorrow. We’re proud of all his hard work!

🙏🏼 Grateful for these experiences and the continued support that made this trip possible. Let’s go Oklahoma TSA!

🇺🇸Day 2 in Washington, DC — making the most of every moment before TSA Nationals competitions begin!

🤍 Our group had an unforgettable day of sightseeing and preparation, starting with a special behind-the-scenes tour of the U.S. Capitol. We were warmly welcomed at Senator Bernie Sanders’ office and led on an incredible tour by one of his interns (special thank you to Ethan’s uncle for making this happen for us!). We even got to ride the underground train connecting the office buildings to the Capitol itself — a true highlight!

🥯 We grabbed delicious bagel sandwiches for lunch, then spent time at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It was a powerful and deeply moving experience that left us reflecting on history, resilience, and the importance of standing up for what’s right.

🍦 Later, we held our state delegation meeting to prepare for the week ahead, followed by a wonderful dinner and some indulgent milkshakes that were worth every penny!

🙏🏼 We’re soaking up these meaningful experiences and are even more excited for the competitions and conference to officially begin tomorrow. Huge thanks again to everyone whose support made this trip possible.

🚀 Onward to Day 3 and TSA Nationals!

🎤 Huge congratulations to our standout TSA student — Ethan Anderson!

🥇 Back in April he brought home the State Championship in CAD Foundations and has earned himself a coveted spot at the TSA National Conference in Washington, DC!

🚎 Today, his family and I squeezed in some “hot spot” sightseeing around our nation’s capital before the big week begins. We’re thrilled for our first conference meeting to kick off tomorrow evening!

🙏🏼 A big thank you to everyone who helped make this incredible trip possible — your support means the world. We’re looking forward to a fantastic week full of memories, networking, and fierce competition.

🚀 Let’s cheer on Ethan as he represents our school, community, and state on the national stage!