APA inaugurates Student Government Association

There's excitement in the air as Austin Polytech lays the foundation for its new Student Government Association (SGA). This cornerstone organization will provide a voice for the student body, while also helping students develop their leadership and professional skills.

To kick off of APA's first-ever SGA, each Advisory elected their own Advisory Representative to speak for the group -- much like our own representatives in the U.S. Congress. All candidates for office presented their platforms and answered questions during a candidate forum.

Each candidate also had the opportunity to question their opponents. Some questions and responses definitely scored points with the audience, swaying a number of voters. The debates showed that each candidate had a clear vision of where APA should be headed and what they expect.

It was great seeing the students going through the political and democratic process of nominations, campaigning, forming coalitions, addressing their constituents, debating one another, and expressing their right by using ballots to vote. Each grade level elected their respective officers. Kudos to the freshmen and sophomores, with 60% of each class turning out at the polls to elect their leadership!

Students compete for scholarships to John Marshall Law School

A group of 10 Austin Polytech sophomores and juniors have been participating in the Patent Savvy workshop, facilitated by John Marshall Law School Professor Don Moyer and seven of his law students. The Patent Savvy workshop provides APA's engineering and manufacturing students with an introduction to intellectual property rights and patents.
 

The workshop culminated in a mock trial competition between two teams of students. Each side argued their case for or against a certain software patent, in hopes of persuading the judges. Individual students also played specific roles, such as delivering opening and closing statements, cross-examining witnesses, and testifying as witnesses.

After the mock trial, judges shared their feedback and encouragement, and students earned team and individual prizes, ranging from $3000 to $10,000 in scholarships to John Marshall Law School. Every student performed impressively, and the group was thrilled at earning their first scholarships towards higher learning.

The Austin Boys Varsity Basketball Team opened their season by winning the Clemente High School Thanksgiving Tournament, defeating Amundsen, Mather, Juarez, Clemente, and Lakeview. The team also won their home opener, defeating Little Village 34-23 to continue their 6-0 winning streak.
 

 

Support the Austin Tigers Varsity Basketball team at their next home game on Tuesday, December 14, at 4:00pm!