Main photo: The Hoya Robotics team with robot “Guillotine” (back from left) – Sydney Taylor, Keira Brisebois, Kyle Mckenzie, Samuel Topps, Gabe Nadrofsky, Morgan, Josh Trask, Amber Daultrey, Sarah Webster, Andrew Johnston. And (front from left) – Riley McEntee, Billy Renalds, Liam McTavish, Guillotine, Ian McTavish, Dave Topps.
After just six weeks of hard work, the Hoya Robotics club at Huntsville High School (HHS) has completed their robot that will be entered into competition on March 2.
Last night (February 22), the team held a Robot Reveal Dinner at the HHS library. The event included a dinner made by the parents and mentors, a silent auction to help subsidize the cost of competition entry fees, followed by speeches and a cheque presentation from Scotiabank and the Rotary Club of Huntsville. Then of course, the main event: the reveal of Guillotine the robot.
“Our team is a place for kids to be themselves,” said grade 12 student and build captain Samuel Topps. “It really helps us come out of our shells and gain confidence. Everyone is really open and happy to be a part of it.”
After everyone finished their dinner, speeches were made by team members Keira Brisebois (team captain), Andrew Johnston (team coordinator) and Riley McEntee (head of communications).
The mentors and sponsors were then thanked and recognized for all their hard work and generosity as the majority of the material and tools used by the club are paid for by sponsors. However, not all mentors contribute with solely cash. The Rotary Club helped teach the team public speaking skills and Kimberly-Clark helped them with design feedback.
“Our incredible mentors have helped us with anything from business plans to how to use a screwdriver properly,” said Johnston as he addressed the crowd.
The team was then presented with cheques from Scotiabank and the Rotary Club of Huntsville. Both presenters expressed their amazement with the team and expressed their support.
To conclude the night, the robot, or “Guillotine” as the team calls it, was presented. Topps explained how it works, the challenges they will face at the competitions as well as answered questions from the audience.
Hoyas robot Guillotine
Hoya Robotics looks forward to competing March 2-4 at Georgian College as well as March 29-31 at Nipissing University.
If they rank in the top 60, they will go on to provincials at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga.
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