Tyler Legacy High School students Thang Hoang and Saad Ali earned eighth place in High School Music Production at the 2026 National Technology Student Association (TSA) Conference, representing the Tyler ISD Career & Technology Center (CTC) on the national stage.
The students competed in the TSA Music Production event, which challenged participants to compose an original musical piece celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States. The piece was designed to serve as the opening number for a July 4th fireworks show.
Earning a place at the national competition is a significant accomplishment, as each TSA state delegation is limited in the number of state finalists it may register to compete at the national level. The 2026 National TSA Conference was held June 22–26 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
In addition to competing, Hoang and Ali had the opportunity to tour the U.S. Capitol Building and meet with Congressman Nathaniel Moran during their trip, adding a meaningful civic learning experience to their national competition journey.
“Thang and Saad combined creativity, technology, and problem-solving to create an original piece worthy of national recognition,” said Kim Landry, CTC AP Computer Science teacher. “Their success highlights the value of Career and Technical Education and the many ways Tyler ISD students can discover their strengths, explore their interests, and build pathways for the future. This was a tremendous experience for the students, and it was possible because of the district’s support."
Through the CTC, students can pursue hands-on learning in more than 25 programs of study, including information technology, digital communications, engineering, health science, welding, culinary arts, law enforcement, cosmetology, and more, all while continuing to enjoy the full high school experience at Tyler Legacy High or Tyler High School. This unique structure gives students access to specialized career pathways where they can build real-world skills, earn industry certifications, and prepare for college, career, and military readiness without giving up extracurricular activities, athletics, fine arts, leadership opportunities, or the traditions of their home campus
For more information, contact Jennifer Hines at Jennifer.Hines@TylerISD.org.