Bay Minette’s Isabella Eleogo wins national office for TSA

By Tina Covington / For The Onlooker
Posted 7/11/18

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Isabella Eleogo thought she was in the middle of a “Steve Harvey moment” when she heard her named called as the new vice president of the National Technology Student …

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Bay Minette’s Isabella Eleogo wins national office for TSA

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BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Isabella Eleogo thought she was in the middle of a “Steve Harvey moment” when she heard her named called as the new vice president of the National Technology Student Association.

When reality set in that she had actually won the election, Eleogo was in shock. “I was actually losing self-confidence the day of the election and afterward because everyone said the vice president race was the hardest decision out of them all,” she said. “Eventually, I realized I actually won so I began to cry as I was walking through the members toward the stage.”

Eleogo was among 8,000 students to attend the 40th annual National TSA Conference in Atlanta, held June 22-26. As part of the election process, she presented a speech in front of everyone and answered a spontaneous question. Each candidate also had their own campaign booth set up at the conference and spoke with members during a 4-hour span. Her campaign slogan was “Choose to Grow with Eleogo.”

Eleogo has certainly grown with TSA. She was a reluctant member at Bay Minette Middle School until her then-instructors, Bill Allen and Melissa Stanford, took her under their wings.

“At first, I strongly didn’t like TSA because I thought it was more for guys,” she admits. “However, Mr. Allen knew the potential within me and told me to write a speech for a middle school TSA competition, Prepared Speech.”

Her teachers were impressed with her work and encouraged him to compete in other categories and to run for her first statewide office, which she won.

“They forced me to, but I’m glad they did,” she said, as she was elected Alabama Middle School vice president. “TSA has impacted my life in so many ways. Words cannot express the change and growth that I have been through because of TSA. I feel like I’m a new and improved person every time I compete or participate in the conferences.”

The mission of Technology Student Association is to enhance personal development, leadership, and career opportunities in STEM-related fields. Members apply and integrate these concepts through school activities, competitions and related programs. Its motto is “Learning to lead in a technical world.”

Eleogo, a rising senior at Baldwin County High School, has represented BMMS and BCHS at district, state and national TSA competitions. She said most of her competitions were centered around speeches or presentations, but she has also ventured out to digital photography, graphic design, chapter team and even dragsters. She has enjoyed many successes along the way, but has also suffered loses.

“There were a lot of times in my TSA experiences where I failed or I thought I was going to fail, moments where everything goes left,” she said. “I’ve always said that we can’t control the situation we’re in, but we can control how we handle the situation. These moments are what TSA is all about.”

She is the daughter of Edgar and Chat Eleogo of Bay Minette. At BCHS she serves as secretary of National Honor Society and is a member of National Art Honor Society and French Club. She is embarking on her second year as a Junior Ambassador for the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. The talented musician also serves in her church’s worship band.

In her new role as TSA vice president, Eleogo will preside at all regular and special meetings, work with the state presidents, and guide communication with the membership. She will also forge ahead with accomplishing some of her campaign goals including to raise awareness, scholarship opportunities and internships for fellow TSA students.

Eleogo encourages everyone to give TSA a chance because the rewards are worth the effort. “By participating in TSA programs, you won’t just have the greatest experiences of your life or meet the most amazing friends, you’ll gain a better understanding of what it takes to be a leader, how to delegate to others, and what’s most beneficial for you and your own future.”