Toshiba gives Yori ’29, Sarah ’29 honorable mentions
This is the third consecutive year USN Lower Schoolers were recognized in the world’s largest K-12 STEM competition.
By Juanita I.C. Traughber, Communications Director
Toshiba has given Sarah Ajang ’29 and Yori Crozier ’29 honorable mentions in its 28th annual ExploraVision competition for their smartphone app to help curb school violence. The app they call HeLp Me! would use algorithms to evaluate students’ answers to questions and alert school administrators of students in need of intervention.
“The goal is to assist school officials like teachers, principals, etc. to address the issue early before the bullying gets out of hand and someone gets seriously hurt. School officials are then in a better position to assist the victim and help curb the perpetrator's behavior if the issues are addressed earlier,” Sarah and Yori wrote in their 12-page submission into the world’s largest K-12 STEM competition.
The girls are in Third Grade Teacher Barbara Voehler’s class. Their idea came from hearing a true story about a boy who recently emigrated from Sudan and was being teased because he does not speak English well. USN parent Anna Nyanda Dau said the students have reached out to Google and vendors recommended by Toshiba to create their app.
In 2019, Eesha Nachnani ’28 and Anisha Nachnani '32 were among national winners of the ExploraVision competition for their proposal of a solar-powered, GPS-operated fish drone that would ingest plastic polluting oceans and convert the waste into biodegradable products. They earned an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. In 2018, Eesha proposed a genetically-engineered chlorophyll cell could negate the effects of carbon dioxide. She donated the prize laptop to USN, and it was shared with a High School student in need.
After winning one of the most competitive mock trial districts in the country, USN headed to the State Tournament and turned in another strong performance.
What began as an eighth-grade initiative has evolved into a powerhouse sport. The Ultimate Frisbee team, now a launchpad for talent with many alumni playing in college, draws national attention at the annual River Campus Classic hosted at University School of Nashville. Guided by dedicated alumni coaches, the boys and girls teams consistently win state championships, embodying a legacy of excellence and innovation.
USN Mission: University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.