MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Barrett, Barnett, Butler (38th), Frazier, McDaniel
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE LINCOLN COUNTY COMMUNITY ROBOTICS TEAMS FOR WINNING THE 2022 MISSISSIPPI STATE ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, two community youth robotics teams of students from Lincoln County traveled to Houston, Texas, in April, 2022, for the regional competition after winning the local and state level of community robotics competitions; and
WHEREAS, the local robotics teams "Slight Malfunction" and Bogue Chitto's "Technocats" received the top score of 268 in Mississippi. These teams are now competing April 19-24 in Houston, Texas, as the Mississippi State Champions and captains of the winning alliance in the Mississippi Southern League; and
WHEREAS, "Slight Malfunction" comprises seventh through 11th graders from home schoolers to students at Loyd Star Attendance Center; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, the rookie robotics team worked their way up, often partnered with Bogue Chitto Attendance Center's team, "Technocats," who graciously allowed them to share a space for building and practicing; and
WHEREAS, Rob and Beth Davis coach the team, which includes Macy Dantin from Loyd Star Attendance Center; Noah Danton from Loyd Star Attendance Center; Nick Davis, who is home schooled; Angel Dinicola from Loyd Star Attendance Center; and Coleman Shipp from Loyd Star Attendance Center. The team had several competitions to conquer on their way to the championship: Mississippi Southern League going into tournament, where they were the second-ranked team. They had the second-highest points value consisting of the top five scores from the entire season. Mississippi Southern League Tournament, where they won the Alliance Captain and received the Innovate Award sponsored by Raytheon Technologies. Mississippi State Championship with the winning Alliance Captain and received the Design Award, defeating the state high-score record twice that day. Previously they held the record for the most of the season, 216. They beat their own record, with a winning score of 268, setting the Mississippi State high score and MSU's as well; and
WHEREAS, "Technocats," FTC Team 6273, from Bogue Chitto Attendance Center won the Mississippi Southern League Tournament with alliance partners and won the Mississippi State Championship as alliance partners. Their coaches, Reggie Wise, a retired teacher from Bogue Chitto Attendance Center and Wendy Cawthorn, a science teacher at Bogue Chitto Attendance Center were most accommodating; and
WHEREAS, "This year, we started off with only one veteran team member and four new rookies," Davis said. "And now it is amazing to have the honor to go to the World Championships. With great leadership, team captain, Nick Davis and students willing to learn, the team realized that this is the hardest fun we will ever have"; and
WHEREAS, the REC Foundation and VEX Robotics host the Live Remote VEX Robotics World Championship, which showcases the incredible talent and skills of students. Over 1,400 teams from over 30 countries and 49 U.S. states compete on streaming platforms allowing students to compete in a dynamic real-time, online setting; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of Mississippi students who have embraced this growing engineering/academic competition and are bringing honor to their schools, their communities and to the State of Mississippi: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Lincoln County Community Robotics Teams for winning the 2022 Mississippi State Robotics Championship, and extend our best wishes to the team members, coaches and families for success in the FTC World Championship Competition.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Lincoln County Robotics Teams and Coaches Rob and Beth Davis and Reggie Wise and Wendy Cawthorn, forwarded to their sponsoring schools and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.