Chatham High School's Team 1095

Pictured above:  Front row (from left) Cory Newton, Hollie Wade, Shawna Smith and Carrie Pugh.  Back Row (from left)  Wesley East, teacher Stephanie O'Brien, Chris Waters, James O'Brien, Kevin Carter, Ethan Reynolds, technical mentor Mikel Pugh, Ben Smith, James Newby, and technical mentor Tom Wade.  Not pictured:  Charles Chavis and teachers Larry Aaron and Kim Farrell.

Bluestone's team member Kenneth Thigpen (In center, wearing shorts) chooses alliance teams before the final rounds.

Bluestone High School's Team 1413

Bluestone High School's team members were Makita Brooks, Alex Bush, Alex Carter, Joey Driggs, Chasity Duffer, Casey Helmick, Quinton Hosmer, Emily Jones, Maggie Miles, Melissa Nelson, Bradley New, Jacob Newton, Kimberly Pittard, David Ruff, Kenneth Thigpen, William Whiters, Joey Wilkerson, Tyler Wilkerson, Lindsey Wilkins, Joseph Wright and Libby Yancey.  Teachers involved were Doug Breese, Tracy Ellis, Donna Mosley, and Betsy West.  Mentors who assisted were Rocky English, Dick Fields, Gary Newton, Russ Messier, and Jessie Ure.

In March 21 Chatham High School in Pittsylvania County and Bluestone High School in Mecklenburg County participated in the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition (FRC) held at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.  For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (F.I.R.S.T.) Robotics Competition was founded to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology and is the largest and most prestigious competition of its kind and .  It challenges teams of students and their mentors to design and build  robots and enter them in a series of competitive events created by a committee of engineers and other professionals. 

Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative sponsored these schools in this year's competition.  The Chatham team finished the qualifying rounds with a 7-0 record and won the quarter-finals in a heart-stopper.  Technical mentor Mikel Pugh says, “In the finals we faced the other 7-0 team, lost the first match and were unable to compete in the second due to a failure with the batteries.  But we did get to the finals for the first time in our team’s history!  We want to thank Mecklenburg Electric for all its support.  Without it, this team would literally not exist.”

Tracy Ellis, robotics & computer systems technology teacher at Bluestone High School comments, "I would like to thank Mecklenburg Electric and all the other sponsors.  Without the support of the community, Robotics Team #1413 could not compete on the international level. This year we competed with a team from Brazil and Canada; no other team from Mecklenburg County can say that."

At one time during the competition Bluestone's team placed as high as second, but they finished fourth overall out of 60 teams.  "This is the best we have ever done," states Ellis.

Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative extends congratulations to both teams! 
Great job!  We are proud of you!