By Shawn
Kirkpatrick
Opelika Observer
The Opelika High School’s O.G.R.E. (Opelika’s Greatest Robotics Engineers) team introduced their robot, Fiona, to Opelika School Board members at last Tuesday’s meeting.
The group was back from their most recent competition, the “Rocket City Regional,” a sanctioned event of the international FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition. Each team matched their robot against the others for best overall skill-set and design.
O.G.R.E. Program Director Brenda Howell told members the competition in Huntsville played on alliances. Teams from all over the world worked together, they didn’t play just against each other. “The competition emphasizes gracious professionalism because that’s the way the real world, corporate world, works. When we are doing things that may better society and improve life for all mankind, we shouldn’t be out for ourselves. We should be working to help anybody we can, because we all have that common goal.”
Howell said she was proud of the way her team supported other teams after their disappointing loss.
“The sportsmanship this group from Opelika, Alabama showed, and they weren’t told to do this, they stood up and cheered all the teams as they received medals and awards. This was a testament of the school system and the parents, and the whole community. They showed such good character.”
Other items on the agenda, members:
-approved consideration of personnel recommendations for employment, transfers, retirements and resignations
-approved consideration of the revised credit recovery guidelines for students
-approved information regarding foreign language and fine arts textbook adoptions for a vote at the May board meeting
-approved monthly financial report for March 2018
-approved Retirement Tea scheduled for Tuesday, May 22, at 3:30 p.m. at Jeter Primary School. Board meeting will follow at 4:15 p.m. in the activity room.