By Brooke Tidwell, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
The Chickasaw Nation Metal Mayhem robotics team received the Imagery Award during the Oklahoma City Regional FIRST Robotics competition February 26-28 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.
The Imagery Award presented to Metal Mayhem is based on outstanding creativity, robot construction, mascot appearance, team appearance and pit setup. During competition, the team’s competitiveness lead them to the final rounds as one of the top ten teams out of the total 50 teams present.
“Metal Mayhem showed great competitiveness and team spirit during the competition,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. “It is great to see the students and mentors working together during such a challenging and educational experience.”
Teams competed with robots constructed during a six-week build season prior to the competition. The object of the competition was to maneuver robots through a low-friction course accumulating points by gathering orbital balls and shooting them into opponent trailers during a 2 minute and 15 second timeframe.
Metal Mayhem will compete at the Dallas Regional FIRST Robotics competition March 12-14 at the Moody Coliseum at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, for a chance to advance to the World Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.
Metal Mayhem was formed through a national organization called FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs. Through the FIRST Robotics program, students gain engineering and technology skills, inspire innovation and develop self-confidence, communication and leadership skills.
Metal Mayhem students include Bridgette Bell, Sulphur; Joseph Dirrim, Byng; Nathaniel Enns, Byng; John Luke Garber, Ada; Micah Gross, Roff; Destiny Hatton, Vanoss; Amber Huffman, Ada; Mari Hulbutta, Ada; Ishani Kumar, Ada; Kelli May, Ada; Bill Miller, Vanoss; Whitney Mowles, Vanoss; Jessica Nail, Vanoss; Lashun Oakley, Latta; Erica Poe, Ada; Ethan Priddy, Stratford; Pierce Stevens, Ada; Garrett Thompson, Byng; Phillip Vogt, Latta; Adam Wheeler, Ada; Candace Williams, Ada; Raechelle Wilson, Kingston; Jeremy Wingard, Latta; Matthew Wright, Ada; and Nathan Wright, Ada.
Mentors include Robbie Blair, Larry Cheatwood, Marilyn Coltz, Amber Fox, Mike Gross, Lori Hamilton, Robbie Hatton, Lisa John, Denver Kimberlin, Jim Lawson, Rhonda Medcalf, Josh Newby, Brian Rumburg, Louise Shields, Lisa Thompson, Stan Townsend, Margaret Wise-Talamasey and Sara West. Parent volunteers include Lisa Bell, Samantha Gross, Arliss Oakley and Stacy Oakley.
For more information about the Metal Mayhem team, contact the Chickasaw Nation Science, Technology and Math program manager Stan Townsend at (580) 421-7711.
