4H Palouse Area Robotics Team Will Compete in World Championship

After winning two district competitions in Cheney and Ellensburg, the 4H Palouse Area Robotics Team competed last week (April 10-12) in the FRC Pacific Northwest District Championship in Portland. Also known as Team 4061, the students made it to the quarterfinals and qualified to go the FRC World Championship in St. Louis, Mo., on April 23-26. A total of 400 teams from around the globe will compete simultaneously on six playing fields. This is the first time a local robotics team will be represented among the best in the world. Matches will be nationally televised on the NASA channel.

FRC is the F.I.R.S.T. (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program designed for high schoolers to be engaged in a season of student-driven, problem solving and personal growth. F.I.R.S.T. is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

The 12 high school members honored to go to the World Championship are from five local communities. From Colfax: Nick Johnson and Sam Woodhouse; Colton: Colby and Macy Bishop; Gar-Pal: Logan Gorence and David Milano; Moscow: Cameron Dearien; Pullman: Hunter Farnsworth, Josh Heithe, Isaac Love, Conner Ormond and Isaiah Spielberg. Mentors going are Glenn Woodhouse, Dave Tharp, Aaron Johnson, Alan Love, Jason Dearien and Galen Gorence. The team is seeking sponsors to help cover the costs to compete in St. Louis. Details are on their website: http://www.sciborgs4061.teamr.com.