The Huntington High School robotics team enjoyed another splendid season, reaching the world championships for the fourth time in five years. The Blue Devils took some well-deserved individual and collective bows at the organization’s annual awards dinner at LaunchPad Huntington last Friday night.
Officially known as FIRST Team 5016, the Blue Devils once again reached the world championships. Since its founding in September 2013, the team has been nearly unstoppable thanks to many of Long Island’s brightest and most dedicated students.
Last Friday’s awards dinner drew a crowd of 125, including Superintendent James W. Polansky and Principal Brenden Cusack. A tasty hot meal was served before team members honored their advisors and mentors, the program’s financial backers and the robotics parents’ association members who have provided remarkable support.
Advisor's Award recipient Jennifer Low with Jennifer Mosden and Lindsay Saginaw.
This year’s team was led by a group of ingenious teenagers, including Tim Low (team captain), Matt Wildermuth (vice-captain), John Riley (chief technology officer), Lindsay Saginaw (chief of business operations), Matt Gennarelli (treasurer) and Jennifer Low (secretary).
The team’s technical leaders include David Mosden (head mechanical technician), Luke Eidle (head electrical technician), Ty Williams (head programmer), Katie Riley (head of CAD), Levi Leach (head of statistical strategy) and Foster Sullivan (safety captain).
Huntington Robotics’ business leaders include Isabella McGinniss (head of promotions), Luke Farrell (head of marketing), Abigail Holmes (head of outreach) and Nolan Piccola (head of awards).
“This was a very special year,” Mr. Low told the crowd. “For the first time in our program’s history we had no founding members on the team. This meant it was a new era for Huntington Robotics and it was all up to its current members to take what was taught by the team’s previous members and relay that information to younger students as well as share and make our own ideas a reality.”
The team continues to grow and reach new heights. “We made large strides in our outreach program; our technical team learned plenty on how to use our new machines and tools and our business team was able to make sure we got the funds we needed,” Mr. Low said. “I couldn’t be more proud of Huntington Robotics team members, watching such a young team work together towards the ultimate goal of qualifying for the world championships.”
The team’s leaders took turns at the microphone, reviewing the season and citing individuals and businesses who helped the group reach its goals in every area of operations.
Faculty advisors Brian Reynolds and Omar Santiago along with retired Huntington technology teacher Edward Parry, who has volunteered hundreds of hours with the team, all took a backseat to the student leaders who were remarkably articulate in recognizing those who have made the program a powerhouse.
Parent volunteer Jennifer Mosden mentored team members throughout the year and helped them perfect their outreach efforts and win the Chairman’s Award at the Long Island regional competition. She was thanked for her service.
Ms. Mosden presented the Advisor’s Award to sophomore Jennifer Low, who went above and beyond while carrying out every assignment she was given. The teenager has become an essential element of the program.
Sophomore Patrick Langton captured this year’s Rising Robot Award. He found his niche in the team’s mechanical department and helped perfect the 2018 robot. “On any given day you might amble down to the woodshop (where the team is based) and he’ll be there, helping out wherever he is needed,” Ms. Saginaw said. “His dedication to the team is perhaps best exemplified by one particular event during the winter. We woke up one morning to find the ground covered in snow. The tram started frantically texting each other, knowing we had a competition to get to the next day. And where was Pat? Up at the high school shoveling snow off the trailer to make sure we could get to our competition. His technical skills and enthusiasm for STEM helped him to be the only sophomore member of our drive team.”
The team’s coveted MVP Award went to senior John Riley. The teenager has been involved in every facet of the program’s operation, even its business side. “I think it is safe to say that without him, the team would be missing an integral component of our well-oiled machine,” Ms. Saginaw said. “I have had the absolute pleasure of working side by side with him since our freshman year and he has truly excelled at not only building our robot, but building a foundation for our team so that it will prosper for years to come.”
As it preps for its sixth season in 2018/19, Huntington Robotics is confident that its best days are still yet to come.
