DeSoto Independent School District students showcased innovation, creativity, and technical excellence at the 2026 Best Southwest STEAM Competition, earning third place overall among participating school districts. The event, hosted by the Best Southwest Partnership, took place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, and featured student competitions across multiple Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) disciplines.
DeSoto ISD students from DeSoto High School (DHS) and Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy (KJTMA) competed in events including robotics, graphic design, drone racing, 2D/3D CAD, and district showcase presentations. Their collective efforts secured a top-three overall district finish in a highly competitive field.
Competition Results:
District Showcase — 2nd Place
Students from DeSoto High School and Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy
Robotics — 3rd Place
Kameron Jones (KJTMA)
Elmon Pride (KJTMA)
Graphic Design — 3rd Place
DeVaughn Crawford (DHS)
Teddy Taylor (DHS)
Dayanara Cuevas (DHS)
2D/3D CAD — 3rd Place
Devin Hinton (KJTMA)
Drone Racing — 2nd Place
Amir Chambers (KJTMA)
Mariah Hitchcock (KJTMA)
Daylen Wilson (KJTMA)
Gavin Howard (KJTMA)
The Best Southwest STEAM Competition brings together students from across the region to demonstrate their skills while competing for more than $20,000 in prize funding to support STEAM education initiatives.
“Our students demonstrated exceptional problem-solving, creativity, and perseverance throughout this competition,” said Raisha Allen, DeSoto ISD STEM Coordinator. “These results reflect not only their talent, but also the dedication of our educators who consistently create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that inspire students to explore, innovate, and lead.”
“This achievement underscores the strength of DeSoto ISD’s academic programming and our unwavering commitment to preparing students for future success,” added Stephanie McCloud, DeSoto ISD Chief Academic Officer. “Through rigorous instruction and experiential learning opportunities like this competition, our students are gaining the skills, confidence, and real-world experience necessary to thrive in college, careers, and beyond.”
DeSoto ISD extends its gratitude to the Best Southwest Partnership for hosting the competition and for its continued investment in expanding STEAM opportunities for students throughout the region.