NORCOM TEAM HEADS ROBOTICS COMPETITION

Promoting economic growth, leadership and education within the City of Portsmouth
Newsletter No. 42
www.portsmouthpartnership.org
January 2014
NORCOM TEAM HEADS
ROBOTICS COMPETITION
When I.C. Norcom High School hosted its first VEX Robotics competition in
2009, only five other schools’ teams showed up to compete. Since then, news
stories from around the world have trumpeted the potential that robotics research
has shown in applications ranging from self-guided vacuum cleaners to minimally
invasive medical and biotech tools. All the while, the Portsmouth Schools System
has shown that it “gets it”: its robotics program has continued to grow, its students
have continued to excel, and I.C. Norcom High School continues to host the
regional VEX competition. Need proof?
This past December, 57 teams
competed from middle and high schools from as far away as McLean, Woodbridge,
Culpeper, Mechanicsville, Chesterfield and Glen Allen. And, this year, the I.C.
Norcom Predators emerged on top, along with one other team from Gloucester. As
regional victors they will advance to the state competition in April, and have a shot
at the VEX Robotics World Championship this spring in Anaheim, CA,
The victorious Norcom and Gloucester with top- ranked teams from around the world.
teams, top; competition scene, bottom.
The VEX Robotics Competition is a product of the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation. Participating
middle- and high-school students receive identical components, supplied in VEX Robotics Design System kits, but use
their own imagination and grit to develop robots which must display the skills required to win points-scoring qualification
and elimination matches in the all-day events. In the end, the team with the best
control of the robot who can consistently bust the best offensive and defensive
moves carries the day.
I.C. Norcom High School will host another regional competition on
March 8, from 9a – 5p, and the state competition will follow at the Virginia
State Fairgrounds in mid-April. This year’s VEX Robotics World Championship
in Anaheim will truly be a global event, with top-ranked peers expected to
hail from the US, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico,
New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain and the United
Kingdom. Portsmouth Public Schools’ focus on robotics shows that
it is committed to strengthening its evolving STEM pathway, and the
success of its kids proves that the program is working. Congratulations
to our schools, and to the I.C. Norcom Greyhounds robotics team!
PORTSMOUTH PARTNERSHIP - CITY OF PORTSMOUTH - PHRA
GPDC 15 years
1,000 jobs $22,000,000 tax revenue
Aston Honored As
Distinguished Alum
Mr. G. Robert “Bob” Aston was recognized as a distinguished
alumnus of Portsmouth Public Schools at the Portsmouth Schools
Foundation’s December 3 luncheon, held in his honor at the
Renaissance Hotel.
Aston, whose banking career began with
Citizens Trust, is currently CEO of TowneBank, one of the largest
banks headquartered in Virginia, with 27 banking offices and over
$4.5 billion in assets.
Over 300 guests were ushered to their tables
by I.C. Norcom students, and served at tables
decorated by students from Lakeview and
Simonsdale Elementary Schools.
After a
presentation of colors by the Wilson High School
Honor Guard, the Porte Towne Magic! Show Choir
presented an impressive program during lunch. Mr.
Aston’s comments were entertaining and insightful,
stressing the need for our schools to arm today’s
students with the critical thinking skills required by
today’s competitive marketplace.
Cradock Alum and TowneBank CEO Bob Aston
Porte Towne Magic! Show Choir entertained the event’s guests
The event was a tremendous success, netting over $25,000 for the Portsmouth Schools Foundation and its many
ambitious programs.
JOB, INTERNSHIP AND MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES . . .
Is your company looking for seasonal or summer help? The Portsmouth Public School System has responsible
students eager to work in the areas of nursing, culinary arts, child care, the hospitality industry, industrial welding, and
more. To find out how you, your company and our kids can benefit, please contact:
Craig Hill, Coordinator, Career and Technical Education
Portsmouth Public Schools
822-2711
822-2927
Michael.hill@pps.k12.va.us
PORTSMOUTH PARTNERSHIP - CITY OF PORTSMOUTH - PHRA
GPDC 15 years
1,000 jobs $22,000,000 tax revenue