FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3, 2012
MEDIA CONTACTS: Collin Nash & Sid Nathan | (516) 869-7794
Town Honors Award-Winning Great Neck South High Robotics Team
North Hempstead, NY– Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Councilwoman Lee Seeman and the North Hempstead Town Board paid tribute last week to the Great Neck South High School Robotics Team, the winners of the 2012 Engineering Inspiration Award.
“These fine young men and women accomplished something special and have made everyone in the Town of North Hempstead very proud,” said Councilwoman Seeman. “They showed true resolve and amazing intellect and sportsmanship along the way.”
Great Neck South’s team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Long Island Regional FIRST Robotics Competition at Hofstra University in April where they received the Inspiration Award, making them eligible to participate in the championships this past April in St. Louis.
In addition to qualifying for the final round, the award also came with a $5,000 grant, which covers the entrance fee for the championship.
“I’ve been playing all kinds of sports since I was little,” said GNS Robotics Team Coach John Motchkavitz. “But there’s no sweeter victory than being able to compete in the Robotics Finals. These kids really pour their heart and soul into the team.”
For the final round in St. Louis, each team had six weeks to build and program a robot to compete in the “Rebound Rumble” challenge. The goal of the challenge was to score as many points as possible by putting the ball in three staggered height hoops.
In addition to points, teams were also judged on a variety of other categories such as design efficiency and safety fundamentals.
The Great Neck South Robotics Team, which is comprised of roughly 60 students, has now made it to the Championships 3 years in a row and 4 of the past 5.
“Competing in the championships was just so surreal,” said team member Spencer Beck. “It was like a dream come true.”
Supervisor Kaiman and members of the Town Board congratulate the GNS Robotics Team and admire their entry, “The Rebellion”.