Avondale High School robotics team headed to state competition

Sixteen Avondale High School students will travel to Grand Rapids this weekend to take part in the 2015 FIRST Robotics Competition. “I think that everyone was surprised that we did so well in the games this year because we are such a young team,” said team advisor and Avondale teacher Ken Abbott. “It says a lot about the character of this team and how determined they are.”

In addition to qualifying this past weekend for the state matchup, the Robo-Jackets also won the Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors and given to the team with the most efficiently designed machine that effectively addresses the game challenges. During an earlier competition in February, the team was awarded the Creativity Award sponsored by Xerox. This award goes to the team displaying the most creative design, use of components, or strategy of play.

FIRST, founded in 1989, is an international organization developed for the purpose of inspiring students in the fields of engineering and technology. It provides students the opportunity to explore their interests in STEM-based disciplines while working with and learning from professional engineers. In addition to the FIRST Robotics Competition, the organization also operates FIRST LEGO League, Junior FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge.

Avondale High School principal Julie Lublin knows the importance of students participating in organizations like FIRST Robotics. “The hands-on experience that students gain from participating in groups like this is such an important step as they move forward and explore different career paths. Being on the robotics team provides them a look into what their futures might be.”

“The team members may choose a career in science or technology or they may choose an entirely different path,” added Abbott. “What’s really important is that each student now has some real-world experience to draw on when it’s time to make that decision.”

The 2015 Avondale Robo-Jackets team includes the pit crew of Theresa Bonucci, Alexandra Brinker, Thomas Coonan and Victor Lee; scouts Deekshitha Balaji, Hayvin Bolton, Justen Latcau, Zaeem Shuttari and Sunny Tam; programmers Catherine Javier and Marine Maisonneuve; equipment manager Mohiuddin Baig; lead strategist Ryan Feng; human player Viraj Nakum; and drivers Katherine Winter and Richard Zhovner.

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