Think how justifiably proud any school would be if their team had just won the state championship. Quite honestly, this particular accomplishment was even more impressive that that, because it included schools in Texas and New Mexico.

And think how intimidating it must be when future opponents realize this team will have 33 returning starters back next year.

Anna ISD is a relatively small Class 3A school system, but their robotics team towered over two recent competitions. The team is comprised of five seniors, 14 juniors, 12 sophomores, five freshmen, one eighth grader and one fifth grader.

Perhaps it is misleading to frame a robotics competition as a sporting event, but if U.S. students are to compete globally in mathematics, science, engineering and computer skills, perhaps more recognition should be handed out to technically advanced programs such as the Anna ISD robotics team.

And certainly Debra Arvin, the team's school sponsor and Brian Seago, the robotics team's mentor from Raytheon, are both to be commended for this remarkable achievement.

"Our high school robotics team, which includes students from the 8th – 12th grade and one 5th grader, won not only first place at the Commerce Lion’s Hub BEST competition, but went on to win first place at the Texas BEST State/Regional competition," explains Ms. Arvin.  "We competed with 48 teams from Texas and New Mexico! Our competition not only included public schools, but home schools, private schools, charter and Science & Technology magnet schools.  As a result of winning first place, we will be attending the Nationals BEST robotics competition at Disney World in Orlando, Florida to compete against the top 24 robotics teams in the nation!"

Every year, over 300 schools from around the state of Texas receive instructions for a task a robot must complete.  Each school is given the same materials and the same amount of time to complete their robot, 30 days.  Not only must students build a robot, but they must also form a “company” by choosing a board of directors which will design a sales presentation, a marketing department that will design a sales booth and a marketing proposal, and a team of scientists and engineers to author a detailed engineering notebook, all of which are judged on competition day. 

At the State/Regional level, “Anna Gadget Manufacturing,” the business Anna ISD students formed, won first place in spirit and sportsmanship (marketing), first place in display (sales booth), but also won first place overall, winning the BEST award when their robot finishing 13th out of 48 teams! By any comparison, this was definitely an accomplishment any be proud of, but, for these particular students, it meant even more.

Anna ISD has a school population of 2,295 students in Pre-K to twelfth grade.  The district has two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.  Of the four schools, both elementaries receive Title 1 funding from the government and 43% of Anna High School students are on free or reduced lunches. 

Budget shortfalls have sharply affected school districts across America, but for small districts with a challenging socio-economic make-up, the crunch can be felt even worse.  Yet these proud students and parents successfully raised $3,000 in two weeks just so their robotics team could realize their potential and compete at the state/regional competition. 

For most of the robotics team, an overnight trip to Denton, Texas was the highlight of their year. Now to be faced with the magical idea of seeing Disney World while participating in a national competition is almost too unbelievable for some of them!

The 35 students who comprise the robotics team have put in well over 2,500 hours participating in this year’s robotics task. But now these students will need your help to realize their full potential and compete at the National level this year in April 2011.

This is only the second annual National BEST competition to be held and, quite understandably, the Anna students feel extremely honored to be included in this elite group.  Still, a trip like this for a group of 35 students, materials and sponsors is a massive undertaking with financial needs beyond the district’s ability and definitely beyond the students’ abilities.  Their goal is $50,000. 

Don't forget, this is a tax deductible donation, so please consider helping the Anna High School Robotics team go to nationals at Disney World in Orlando, Florida in April 2011 by donating to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these over-achieving students.

Please send your tax deductible checks to:
Anna High School
Attn: Debra Arvin
501 S. Sherley
Anna, TX 75409

Make checks payable to Anna High School Robotics.

Seniors: Logan Strickland, Tyrus May, Maria Torres, Austin Griffin and Hanna Hollis

Juniors: Victoria Uresti, Dominique Rodriquez, Britta Colombo, Dustin Williams, Jonathan Turner, Adrienne Butcher, Jesse Garcia, Brittnea Fugate, Kaitlyn Newton, Emily Pingsterhaus, Caleb Neff, Gashira P. and Dustin Powell

Sophomores: Hannah Woodard, Syndey Rowell, Christopher Hoffman, Cayne Bartoo, Robert Miller, Ryan Hull, Storm Rubio, Dustin Encizo, Rachael Hollis, Mattie McGowan, Khrystian Rice and Jordan Chambers

Freshmen: Mehgan Craft, Miguel Martinez, Kristina Lob, Dustin Strickland and Kendra Parry

Eighth grade: Nicole Hull

Fifth grade: Paul Skiff

Fundraisers

Monday, Jan. 17 – Restaurant Day at Chick-Fil-A in McKinney, corner of US 380 and US 75. Hours are 6:30 am to 10 pm. Order your food and tell them you want to support the Anna High School Robotics Team. 10% of your ticket will go back to the team.  

Tuesday, Jan. 18 – Baked Potato Supper – 4:30-7 pm – Anna High School Cafeteria. Tickets are $5 at the door. Includes baked potato with all the fixings, water and/or tea. 

Proceeds from all fundraisers will help the Anna High School Robotics Team get to Florida for their national competition in April.  

If you would like to make any donations please contact the team sponsor, Debra Arvin, at 972-924-1100 or by email at debra.arvin@annaisd.org.