Thomas J. Rusk Academy beats world record for longest human circuit

March 8, 2013                                                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

District Contact: Rayanne Schmid, communications coordinator

936-569-5000, ext. 8845 (office) or 936-585-1518 (Cell)

rschmid@nacisd.org

NACOGDOCHES  — Linked hand in hand, teachers, students, staff and even a few visitors at Thomas J. Rusk Academy of Fine Arts on Friday morning formed a world record-setting 669-person human electrical circuit.

The school decided to challenge the current record for the longest human electrical circuit – 392 people — after TJR fourth grade science teacher Michael Armand worked with his students on a miniature version in class.

One of the students asked Armand what the world record was for number of the people in a circuit, and the teacher decided to pursue the idea.

On Friday morning, the participants — most decked out in their red TJR shirts — lined the parameter of the playground. When instructed, they linked hands. TJR principal Malinda Lindsey served as the central link, holding the golf-ball sized  low-voltage energy ball that linked the rectangle of students and staff together.

The ball blinked red and made beeping sounds while the circuit remained complete.

 The attempt was documented in accordance to the rules and regulations established by the Guinness World Records and next will be submitted for verification and approval by a Guinness World Records Adjudicator.

Community members and officials helped serve as the witnesses and stewards, as required. Former mayor Judy B. McDonald, Nacogdoches Chief of Police Jim Sevey, Etech employees and NISD school board members Matt Rocco and Alan Sowards were among those on hand.