National Champions from Alabama, the Tharptown High School’s rocketry team placed second in the International Rocketry Challenge at the Farnborough Air Show July 25, 2024. They competed against three teams total, from Japan, France and the United Kingdom which won first place.

Tharptown High School math teacher Areanna Orozco said, “We are so thankful for the opportunity to represent the United States. I am so proud of every single student and all the hard work they have put in. This was the closest score between first and second, a 10 point difference.”

• First place (UK) 834 ft 43 second (14 pts)
• Second place (USA) 811 ft 39 sec (24 pts)

Orozco said 40 percent of the score at the international competition was based on the team making a presentation, something they practiced in front of an audience as part of their special day of Space and Rocket Center activities. 

Franklin County’s Tharptown High School has sent a team to the national finals six times since the program started in 2018. THS has now placed in the top 10 four times, including a second-place finish in 2023.