Huntington Robotics Celebrates Season at Dinner
Huntington Robotics enjoyed another sensational season, finishing among the top 200 teams at the world championships in St. Louis this spring. The high school technological wizards recently celebrated the year at an awards dinner at LaunchPad Huntington on Main Street in the village.
This year’s leadership team consisted of Jacob Strieb (team captain), Cole Blackburn (team vice-captain), Ben Hebert (treasurer), Christiana DeLuca (secretary), John Riley (head mechanical technician), Luke Eidle (head of electrical), Lindsay Saginaw (public relations and marketing) and Matt Wildermuth (head of programming). Many other students filled important posts and devoted countless hours to the success of the team. Teachers Brian Reynolds and Michael Ferreira serve as the faculty advisors.
Attended by a crowd of about 150, the recent dinner not only celebrated another fine season, it recognized the generous financial support provided by a group of donors and by the school district. Praise was also lavished on the team’s mentors, advisors and parents for their work.
The crowd filled a large area of the floor of LaunchPad Huntington, a business accelerator and workspace where start-up companies can get on their feet. It hosts various workshops and discussions for the community throughout the year.
Students took turns at the microphone, recognizing key individuals who contributed to the team’s success. The evening included a multi-media presentation continuously running on a loop. Mr. Reynolds gave a well-received summary of the year’s activities and some of the initiatives in the pipeline that are expected to further strengthen the program.
Financial backers include Spectronics Corp., Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt, LLP, LuHi summer programs, FIRST Robotics, BAE Systems, Gellerman Orthodontics of Huntington, Cashin Associates and Frank Chau and Associates. The corporate sponsors were given plaques engraved on Huntington Robotics’ own laser engraver.
The team’s MVP Award was presented to Mr. Blackburn. Rising Robot Awards went to Mr. Wildermuth, Abby Holmes, Jack Farrell and Tim Low. Mentors Mike McGinnis, Dave Saginaw, Tony Chiarelli, Ed Parry, Jamie Hebert and John Riley were all recognized.
Huntington School Board President Thomas DiGiacomo and Trustees Jennifer Hebert and Christine Biernacki, Superintendent James W. Polansky, Huntington High School Principal Brenden Cusack and Suffolk Legislator William Spencer were all on hand to share in the festivities.
The recent dinner was planned by parents Lisa Hodes and Joyce Glicker along with a student committee comprised of team members. .
“We would like to thank our advisors, Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Ferreira, and all of our individual and corporate sponsors for a wonderful season,” Ms. Saginaw said.
Planning is underway by Huntington Robotics to hold a fundraiser at LaunchPad next fall.