Cedar Falls High School FIRST Robotics Team 525 Heads to Championship in St. Louis (Blog)

Cedar Falls High School FIRST Robotics Team 525 has qualified for the FIRST Championship held in St. Louis April 24-27, 2013 three times: twice as Regional Champions, and most importantly, as the Regional Chairman's Award Winner at the 10,000 Lakes FRC Regional event.

The Chairman's Award Winner furthers the mission of FIRST best stated by one its founders, Dean Kamen, "To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."

The drive team comprised of Juniors Katie Yang-Coach, Jared Failor-Driver, Collin McIntyre-Co-Driver, and Srinivas Dhanwada-Human Player get a chance to compete against other Regional winning teams. Additionally, the Chairman Award's presenters comprised of Sophomores Lauren Harter, Charlotte Brandenburg, and Dhanwada, will interview with a panel of judges for the opportunity to receive the Championship Chairman's Award.

Harter says, “It’s an experience unlike any other, to go in and talk about our team.  It’s not a stiff, 'rehearsed for hours' presentation; it’s telling out favorite memories and why the team is so near and dear to our hearts.  We don’t exaggerate and impress, it’s simply a group of passionate students telling our team’s story and what makes us who we are today.”

To be considered for the Chairman's Award, the students prepared an executive summary, an essay, a presentation and a video detailing how we embody Gracious Professionalism; encourage high quality of work, treat others with respect, value diversity and foster enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and math.

The Championship is not just for FRC teams.  Also competing are the regional winners in the FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Lego League.  Mary Radke, a freshman said, “It is inspiring to see so many people from around the world, excited about FIRST.”

Attending these events provide students the opportunity to learn so much more than just how to compete.  Radke was a field reset volunteer at the 10,000 Lakes FIRST Regional Competition in Minneapolis.  “Getting the chance to be down on the field volunteering was very exciting. I enjoyed feeling the energy of the game and seeing the reactions of the teams that did well,” describes Radke.

Harter explains being at FIRST events as a place where, “We live by the terms Gracious Professionalism and Cooperititon.  That means when another team needs help, we help them.  No matter what.  Giving parts, staying late to work on their robot with them, lending equipment, even mentoring other areas like animation, computer aided design (CAD) and safety.  It’s very rewarding to be recognized as a leaders and to be surrounded by driven, like minded students.”

The team will be leaving Cedar Falls High School on Wednesday morning. Competition will begin on Thursday afternoon.   Team 525 will be competing on Archimedes Field and links to view the matches can be found at http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/robotics/.   For more information contact Mr. Swartley at Kenton.Swartley@cfschools.org.