Paramount, CA – Following standout performances at this year’s Engineering Prelims, Paramount Unified students are preparing to take the next big step: the 2025 MESA Regional Competition, hosted by the MESA Schools Program at Cal State Los Angeles on Saturday, April 19.
This year, students from Odyssey STEM Academy and Paramount High School competed in the High School Preliminaries on March 8, while middle school scholars from Alondra, Jackson, Paramount Park, Hollydale, and Zamboni took the stage on March 15—both events hosted by California State University, Long Beach.
Their impressive showings across various engineering and science-based events earned several first-place finishes, qualifying teams to move on to Regionals, where they'll face off against the best teams from across Southern California.
Celebrating Our Champions
From building gliders and moon bases to debugging code and designing intricate mechanical systems, students across all five PUSD middle schools rose to the challenge. But it was Hollydale Middle School and Zamboni Middle School that earned first-place medals in key events:
- Hollydale MS – 1st Place in MESA Machine (7th–8th) and Coding Solutions (Experienced Division)
- Zamboni MS – 1st Place in Cargo Glider (7th–8th)
At the high school level, Odyssey STEM Academy swept both first and second place in the National Engineering Design Challenge (NEDC), with Paramount High School securing third place. The NEDC is the only high school event with a direct pathway to the national competition, making this sweep especially meaningful.
Behind Every Team: Incredible Teacher Advisors
Guiding student success is a team of passionate and dedicated teacher advisors who foster STEM learning and competition-readiness across all PUSD campuses grades 6th through 12th.
These educators dedicate their time to mentoring students after school and on weekends, building learning environments where problem-solving, teamwork, and curiosity thrive. Their leadership is instrumental in ensuring students are not only competition-ready, but also confident in their voices and ideas. Paramount is grateful to our Advisors who, day in, day out give guidance, encouragement and support to our students participating in this program that provides a strong bridge between interest, curiosity and skill and a tangible pathway into the world of engineering.
All Eyes on April 19: Road to Regionals
The MESA Regionals at Cal State LA will feature only first-place winners from each event. Competing schools will represent the highest-performing teams across the region, making this event a true showcase of student-driven STEM innovation.
PUSD will be proudly represented by teams from Odyssey STEM Academy, Paramount High School, Hollydale MS, and Zamboni MS, who will compete in the following top-tier categories:
- National Engineering Design Challenge (NEDC)
- MESA Machine
- Coding Solutions
- Cargo Glider
This next level of competition not only tests technical skills but celebrates equity in STEM and the importance of student-designed solutions that can make a difference in the world.