JOHANNESBURG — The Johannesburg-Lewiston (J-L) High School Robotics team has received a $2,000 grant from the Great Lakes Energy People Fund.

The grant will be used for the 2008 U.S. First High School Robotics Challenge season, according to Anthony Fortin, J-L vocational education teacher who mentors the extracurricular team.

“We’re made possible entirely by donations,” explained Fortin of the importance of the grant. “This not only helps add to the amount required for annual entry fee, it keeps the team going from year to year. It actually puts us very close to our goal of $6,000 for the year.”

Besides the entry fee for the challenge, Fortin said the monies help with expenses such as hotels, meals and parts to supplement the kit provided with the entry fee. He noted competition guidelines permit teams spend not more than $3,500 to supplement their standard kit.

Last year’s 12-member rookie team finished ninth out of 54 teams, after competing against the top teams in the world at the West Michigan Regional. The U.S. First High School Robotics Challenge is a worldwide 1300 plus team competition.

This year’s team, comprised of 14 members, is anxiously awaiting the season kick-off on Jan. 5, reported Fortin. At that time, the year’s challenge is outlined, and each team is given its kit of parts. That leads into a six-week, design-build-test and ship period for the competition at Grand Valley State University.

Members of the J-L High School Robotics Team are high school students in good academic standing, of both genders, of any grade level, and with many varying abilities.

For any additional info go to www.usfirst.org, or contact Fortin at 731-4420, Ext. 438.

Two J-L graduates from last year’s robotics team have gone on to pursue engineering degrees: Tim Gallaway at Lake Superior State University; and T.C. Marsh at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Members of Great Lakes Energy support the People Fund by voluntarily rounding up their bills to the next highest dollar. The rounded up amount is distributed to nonprofit organizations and charitable activities that benefit people in communities served by the cooperative. Contact GLE for more details.

FYI - Members of the J-L High School Robotics

Mentors: Tony Fortin, Craig Marsh

Students: Adam Mouland, Roger Ellis, Katie Young, Alex Long, Ashlie Tebbe, Hannah Chamberlain, Steve Morehouse, Carl Dalsasso, Steven Barber, Tommy Virden, Chad Vansickle , Josh Scocinski, Brent Dandy, Jeff Filice, Eric Bush, Katelyn Fortin, Randi Marsh

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