Team from Poland Regional High School wins Thomas Cup

PHOTO: Thomas Cup winners Parker Demelia, Samuel Tjalsma, Ben Cushman, Joseph Elliott, and Isaac Young, from Poland Regional High School. (Submitted photo)

WATERVILLE – A team of Poland Regional High School students won the Thomas Cup, the top award at the IT and innovation competition of the same name, at Thomas College on March 31.
Members of the team, The Fellas, comprising Parker Demelia, Samuel Tjalsma, Ben Cushman, Joseph Elliott, and Isaac Young will each receive $10,000 scholarships to Thomas College. Second place winners earn $8,000 scholarships and the third place team wins $6,000.
The Thomas Cup is a free event for Maine high schoolers in which teams of five students compete in science, technology, engineering, and innovation competitions for the chance to win their names on the Thomas Cup and receive scholarships to Thomas College worth up to $10,000 over four years. Competition areas include cyber defense, esports, computer science, and crime scene analysis.
Second place team was The Bruhzerkers, of Greely High School, of Cumberland, and Cheverus High School, of Portland, with members Brody Gifford, Quinn Richter, Liam Gordon, Corbin Richter and Drew Flanders.
Third place team was Stud Muffins, from Forest Hills Regional High School in Jackman, with Hiram Logston, Owen Lacasse, Jayden Feliberty, Mason Desjardins and Braidan Welch.