(July 9, 2014) The PLTW Alumni Association Advisory Board is a newly formed member-based committee established to lead alumni engagement and represent the student experience at the national level. The purpose of the PLTW Alumni Association is to engage PLTW students beyond high school graduation and sustain the connection between alumni and the PLTW network. Alumni leaders will help fulfill this purpose by generating innovative ideas and strategies to engage alumni in PLTW events, STEM initiatives, and volunteer activities.
The PLTW Alumni Association is pleased to announce the members of the PLTW Alumni Association Advisory Board.
National President:
Johnathan Predaina, LakeView Technology Academy, Wisconsin, PLTW Engineering
- Johnathan is a PLTW Gateway teacher at Lance Middle School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Technology Education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and was elected President of the Student Senate. Jonathan is active in the Wisconsin Technology & Engineering Education Association (WTEA), a professional association for Tech Ed teachers. He is currently studying to be a Master Teacher for Design and Modeling, as well as Automation and Robotics. In addition to several other activities, Johnathan is the creative director of FabLab@Lance, an after school club open to all Lance Middle School students to engage them in learning by using software, technology, robotics, and 3D printing & scanning equipment.
Vice President, Biomedical Science:
Caeden Tinklenberg, Sioux Falls Career and Technical Education Academy, South Dakota, PLTW Biomedical Science
- Caeden is currently a student at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, where he is studying biology and chemistry. Caeden was accepted into the Kuyper Scholars Program, a distinguished scholar honors program at Dordt College. In high school, he was actively involved in various activities including band and athletics. Caeden was a member and scholarship recipient of HOSA-Future Health Professionals. He competed in state and national competitions and served as chairman of regional competitive events. Caeden is also a part of Youth Unlimited Serve, traveling with other teens to communities in North America in need of service work and serving the community in a variety of ways.
Vice President, Engineering:
Olivia Armstrong, New Trier Township High School, Illinois, PLTW Engineering
- Olivia is a rising senior studying aerospace engineering at the University of Kansas (KU), where she is a member of the SELF Engineering Leadership Fellowship and the Engineering Ambassadors program. Both programs seek to connect with prospective engineering students and encourage them to pursue studies in STEM fields. Olivia is also a Pearson Student Advisory Board member. As a Student Advisory Board member, she wrote about STEM education and PLTW for the Pearson Teaching & Learning blog. Prior to her senior year of high school, Olivia was selected to participate as a NASA INSPIRE Summer Intern and work at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. After her first year of college, Olivia obtained an internship with SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies), where she continues to work each summer in the Mission Operations division.
East Region Representative:
Kyle Mattson, Twin Valley High School, Pennsylvania, PLTW Engineering
- Kyle is currently an operations development associate at the Timken Company in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Kyle holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Engineering (M.E.) in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he participated and served as vice president and president of Phalanx Honor Society, a senior leadership honor society. In high school, he was a member of the Technology Student Association (TSA) and had been an active Habitat for Humanity volunteer for over six years. Kyle assisted and helped raise funds for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Green Roof project to update the ceiling and structure of the student union and build a green roof.
Midwest Region Representative:
Maggie Stull, Scott County High School, Kentucky, PLTW Biomedical Science
- Maggie is a PLTW Biomedical Science student at Scott County High School in Georgetown, Kentucky. She is an A Honor Roll student and Best Year-Long Project of the Year winner. Maggie is a lead volunteer of the Skilled Unit at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital and a member of the Cardinal Hill Teen Board. Cardinal Hill provides inpatient hospital care for physical rehabilitation needs and medically complex patients. In addition to volunteering, Maggie works and participates in other activities where she holds several leadership positions. She is a member of the BETA Club and has been active in 4-H for several years, winning blue ribbons in county and state photography competitions. In college, she plans to major in biology and psychology and minor in chemistry and neurology. Maggie’s long-term goal is to obtain a medical degree and Ph.D., and work in private practice.
West Central Region Representative:
JC Park, Bel Air High School, Maryland, PLTW Biomedical Science
- JC is currently a student at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences and a minor in psychology. JC held an internship at Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, where he aided in research and innovated two lab devices, one of which is currently being drafted for a patent by the Army. JC has been actively involved in Boy Scouts of America since high school, representing them at the local, national, and international level. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout and held various roles at the troop level, including senior patrol leader and scoutmaster. Throughout high school, JC participated in the Drama Company and served on the Board of Directors, was scene shop supervisor, and was an International Thespian Society member. He currently participates in the Biomedical Sciences Association and the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University ROTC.
West Region Representative:
Armando Bravo, Toppenish High School, Washington, PLTW Engineering
- Armando will attend Central Washington University this fall, where he will major in construction management and minor in mechanical engineering. Armando has participated in the VEX Robotics World Championships for three years and has served in roles like captain, team leader, and mentor. He was also a mentor for VEX IQ and a peer tutor to students taking the PLTW Civil Engineering course. Armando participated in Toppenish School Intramurals (T.S.I.), where he helped elementary students stay active and involved in school. He was also a member of the TSA (Technology Student Association) and participated in the Chess Club. In addition to academic activities, Armando was the goalkeeper for his District Championship soccer team.
Please join us as we congratulate and welcome the 2014-15 PLTW Alumni Association Advisory Board members.
For more information about the PLTW Alumni Association and how to engage alumni in your region, please contact alumni@pltw.org.