For the Reporter
The Auburn Mountainview FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Team 5953, RoarBotics, placed 20th in the FTC State Championships on Jan. 31 at the ShoWare Center in Kent.
Additionally, the team won the Rockwell Collins Innovate Award for the robot’s drive system.
Based on the design and operation of the robot, the judges selected AMHS to represent Washington state March 27-29 at the FTC West Super-Regional in Oakland, Calif.
“Our students continue to refine their robot and prepare for California,” said Robotics mentor Robert Moritz. “With the help and support from the Auburn community, RoarBotics is prepared to represent Washington in Oakland and beyond.”
Jensen, Lee honored
Lois Jensen and Christi Lee are the Auburn School District’s Classified Employees of the Year.
Jensen has worked in the district for 17 years and is a para-educator working with English language learners at Washington Elementary. Lee has worked in the district for 10 years and is a para-educator in the library at Lakeland Hills Elementary.
The awards program recognizes the work of classified staff members who have made a positive difference in their profession. The nomination form specifies that they should be employees “who consistently demonstrate outstanding work performance, professional leadership and collaboration.”
Jensen and Lee are to be formally recognized at the Auburn School District Board meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.
Both are eligible for consideration by the Puget Sound Educational Service District for the regional Classified School Employee of the Year award. Regional winners will be considered for the 2015 Washington State Classified School Employee Excellence Award.
Forensics team shines
The Auburn Riverside forensics team earned several awards at the recent KingPen Invitational forensics tournament at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor.
Students from 22 schools competed at the inaugural event.
Auburn Riverside junior Katerina Zhuravel took first in dramatic interpretation and third in interpretive reading. Senior Kaelyn Buettner was third in dramatic interpretation.
Senior Maddie Lancaster earned a spot at the state tournament March 14 at the University of Puget Sound.
Elsewhere
Five Rainier Middle School students earned top-three finishes at the recent annual Auburn Council of PTA Reflections contest. Students responded to the theme, “The world would be a better place if …. ”
The event provides an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works interpreting this year’s theme.
Winners were: Eric Scofield (first, photography); Audrey Singer (first, literature); Bella Kuksyuk (second, literature); Laura Johnson (second, visual arts); and Madisyn Kautz (third, visual arts). Emily Ward received an honorable mention in visual arts. First- and second-place winners advance to the state competition. …
Auburn senior Tyler Masseth was second and Auburn Riverside junior Walter Harris finished third at a recent cabinet making contest hosted by the Auburn School District’s Woodworking and Design Advisory Board. Masseth and Harris qualified to compete in the state SkillsUSA contest in April.
Students were given a set of plans and a stack of lumber. They had to read and interpret project drawings to complete a cut list. After completing the cut list, students had six hours to cut parts, machine wood joints, assemble the project and attach hardware to complete a project ready for finish. They built a bathroom wall cabinet.
Students also took a woodworking knowledge test and a SkillsUSA Professional Test. They were scored on safety, machining skills, use of materials, assembly and completion of a quality project.
Specialty Forest Products, Busch Wood Products, E.B. Bradley Co. and Fastenal donated materials and prizes for the contest.
SkillsUSA is a National Student Leadership organization for career and technical education. …
Auburn’s Kell Garrison was named to the fall session honor roll at Montana State University Billings. … Auburn’s Megan Evans, Annette Harnish, Melissa Lewis and Erin Straight made the fall semester honor roll at Montana State University.
