This week, youth members & adult mentors of the 4-H Force Robotics Team of Clearfield & Jefferson Counties will be heading to St. Louis, MO for the FIRST Robotics Championships held April 25 – 28. The team earned a spot in the world championships after being named the 2012 Rookie All-Star Team at the Pittsburgh Regional FIRST Robotics Competition held March 8 – 10 at the Petersen Event Center at the University of Pittsburgh.
Over the past six weeks, the members of the 4-H Force Robotics Team have been extremely busy planning, strategizing, and fundraising for the upcoming competition. The team originally formed in December of 2011, thanks to a partnership between Penn State Extension’s 4-H Program and the jcpenney’s store at the DuBois Mall.
On April 20, the team presented a trophy to William Reitz, Manager of the JC Penney store at the DuBois Mall and his staff for their support in helping kick-start the program and their encouragement over the past 4 months. After the presentation of the trophy, the jcpenney’s store employees presented the 4-H Force Robotics Team with over $600 they collected through mini-fundraisers held each week in the store to help defray the many expenses the team will have in their journey to St. Louis.
The 4-H Force Robotics Team wants to thank all the local individuals and businesses that made generous contributions to the team, as well as the community for all their support & encouragement along the way! The FIRST Robotics Championships, the ultimate celebration of science & technology, will be broadcast via live stream.
4-H is a non-formal youth development educational program of Penn State Extension for all youth between the ages of 8 and 18 as of Jan. 1, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, genetic information, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, or veteran status. To learn more about the 4-H program or to join the 4-H Force Robotics Team for the upcoming year, please contact Susan Alexander at Penn State Extension of Jefferson County at (814) 849-7361 or Jana Davidson Penn State Extension of Clearfield County at 814-765-7878 Ext.3.
PHOTO: Oe April 20, the 4-H Force Robotics Team presented their 2012 Pittsburgh Regional Rookie All-Star Trophy to JC Penney at the DuBois Mall. Front row (kneeling) from left to right: Sheri Divins – jcpenney employee, Brandon Alanskas – team member/treasurer, William Reitz – Manager of jcpenney’s at the DuBois Mall, & Laken Delaney – team member. Second row (standing) from left to right: Henry Vipond – mentor, Christan Shaffer – jcpenney employee, Victoria Holben – team member/secretary, Tyler Holben, Matthew Vipond – team member/president, Katie Russell – team member, Alaina Anand – team member, Vicki Horner – jcpenney employee, JR Alanskas – mentor, & Jana Davidon – Penn State Extension Educator. Third row (standing) from left to right: George Holben – mentor, Padon Rishell – team member/vice-president, & Dave Rishell – mentor. Missing from photo are Stefany Alexander – team member/historian, Chelsea Folmar – team member, Ted Lyons – mentor, & Susan Alexander – Penn State Extension Educator.