Letter to the editor
April 24, 2009
Herald-Banner
To the editor:
I would like to take a moment to recognize the fine young men and women of this year's Greenville High School Robowranglers robotics, Team 148. I am proud that they worked so hard to make it through 102 qualifying rounds to place high enough to be selected to compete among eight alliances in the quarterfinals last Saturday (April 18) at Global competition in Atlanta -- with more than 10,000 participants and 28 countries represented. It was no small feat to make it that far. Their robot, the "Texas Tornado" was so good, that the best strategy for their opponents was to disable it by using two out of three robots to pin it so it couldn't move. Legal strategy -- and effective. So when the time cam that they were eliminated, this team showed what they were truly made of. A rookie team won the honor of going onto the semi-finals and the entire Robowrangler team stood up and applauded their efforts and gave them the recognition they deserved. Not because they "had to," but because they are champions through and through and had been taught that along the way.
I had heard about the excellent leadership qualities of leaders John V-Neun from Innovation First and Johnny Tharp from GISD, along with all the mentors and other coaches, but I personally witnessed them all leading and coaching this group of young men and women along the way by setting the example themselves. I've seen John V-Neun gently remind the students to clap for other teams when they win, all the while he was doing so himself. And reminders about "The Code." There are two codes they live by: professionalism and humility. Think how much better the world would be if we all learned to truly live by this code -- when we win or especially when we lose? I don't remember which coach said it, but I heard, these words "Lose like it doesn't matter and win like you're used to it."
Kudos to Johnny Tharp for his patience and resourcefulness when it comes to coaching this team. To see these intelligent and creative youth actually experience and witness true leadership strengths is incredible. And right here in Greenville, Texas! It makes me so proud of our town, our school and our kids when I see them exhibit such prowess at competitions.
In spite of those who have moved to bigger (and more expensive) cities and towns expecting better lives and education, I am very proud to say I am from Greenville, Texas. Greenville's students are some of the brightest out there, and they were recognized for that in Atlanta. Not only did they work to make their own team better, they helped other teams solve technical issues when they otherwise would have been out of competition, if it weren't for the willingness of our mentors and students to help. Hooray for sharing knowledge! Hooray that it is available in Greenville!
Oh, by the way, there are still other competitions to conquer. VEX is coming up shortly, so stay tuned for more robotic wrangling. Hats off to the companies who invested in these events by providing funding and the time for mentors to provide support, including Innovation First, GISD and L-3 Communications!
Proud to be from Greenville,
Kim Cartier
Team148.org | Robowranglers.com