East Providence Girls Robotics Team Wins Inspiraton Award

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — A team of middle school girls in East Providence are boasting an honor that celebrates both their achievement and ambition in the world of robotics. The team from St. Mary Academy — Bay View, an all-girls school in East Providence, earned the Inspiration Award at the FIRST LEGO League state championships.

The Inspiration Award is the core values award given to the team that is empowered by their FIRST LEGO experience and displays extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit. The state championships were held at Roger Williams University on Jan. 1.

The 33578 S.M.A.R.T. team includes eighth-grader Tess Briden of Rumford, seventh-grader Claire Chace of Bristol, eighth-grader Jillian Nguyen of North Kingstown, eighth-grader Ella Rwenzo of North Providence and seventh-grade Hannah Wiczek of Warwick. Valerie Briden is the team's faculty advisor.

Leading up to the state championships, the team earned first and received the Champion's Award at the qualifying meet at the Edward R. Martin Middle School in East Providence on Dec. 7. The Champion's Award celebrates a team embracing the core values of the event, while achieving excellence and innovation in both the robot and project.

St. Mary Academy — Bay View is an independent, Catholic school for girls in preschool through grade 12 of all faiths in East Providence.