March 14, 2025—The state final round of the Georgia Student Technology Competition was held on March 1, and Cobb was well-represented. To qualify for state, students must place first in a regional round. The competition is open to all 3rd through 12th-grade students residing in the state. It is the highest level of student technology competition in Georgia, with over 900 projects representing the work of over 1000 students around the state.
The competition has fourteen categories, including audio and video production, 3D modeling and animation, game and productivity design, app development, graphic design, and much more.
Cobb had 13 regional champs that moved on to participate as a state finalist. Six of those went on to win first place in their category. Cobb had state champs in Animation, Digital Game Design, Graphic Design, Mobile Apps, Productivity Design, and Video Production.
Rohit Anand, a 5th grader at East Side Elementary, won first place in the Mobile Applications 5th and 6th grade category. He built an app that uses machine learning to tackle depression by detecting the user's emotional state and providing an AI-based voice chat buddy based on this detection.
"We are delighted that Rohit was able to win this award representing East Side Elementary and Cobb School District," said his mother, Srilakshmi Anand. "We are very proud that his hard work and dedication were recognized. The selection process was strenuous and very competitive, and around 8,000 students from all over Georgia participated in the regional competitions."
Rohit's principal, Maria Clark, was also very pleased with her student's accomplishments and innovative ideas.
"We are so proud of Rohit for this recognition. What a wonderful invention that could positively impact our community and nation. East Side congratulates Rohit for being an amazing inventor, student, and East Side Eagle!" said Principal Clark about her school's GaSTC champion.
Other winners around the District were:
Mira Ballantyne, Campbell HS, 9th and 10th Animation
Colton Gilmore, Mabry MS, 7th and 8th Digital Game Design
Laura Oubre, Kennesaw Mountain HS, 11th and 12th Graphic Design
Nora Regan, Sope Creek ES, 3rd and 4th Productivity Design
Samarth Sehgal, Sope Creek ES, 5th and 6th Video Production
