Two robotics teams from Notre Dame practiced and strategized in the school's new robotics lab; then get qualified for states.
Both Notre Dame VEX Robotics teams are with their robots and the three trophies they won at a tournament in Cass City, Mich. More photos below.
According to Jerry Palardy, a parent and mentor for the school's robotics program, Team 33F, called "Brainstorm," had control of the event from start to finish.
"They won all of their qualifying matches, more than doubling their opponents score in every match, winning the skills competition, ended up captain of the 1st alliance, and then winning the event with Notre Dame's Team 3333Z as their alliance partner," Palardy said. "It was a great job, plus, to cap it off, they qualified for the VEX Robotics Michigan State Championship to be held in February."
Notre Dame's Team 3333Z, also called "Mo' Bees," advanced to the states by winning their event. Palardy said that their day started out rough, however, when someone from another team accidentally stepped on their robot.
"The robot could barely move for the first three matches," he said. "But they stuck with it, fixed the robot, and ended up winning the second half of their matches as well as taking 2nd place in skills."
Palardy noted that the school's new robotics lab definitely played a part in the teams' stellar performances yesterday.
"Thanks to the new fantastic robotics lab at NDPMA, both teams were able to practice together on Friday, and they came up with a game strategy that complemented each other's strengths" he said. "At the event during alliance selection, our Team 33F had first pick for their alliance partner and knew that 3333Z was their best choice, in spite of the issues they had earlier in the day. The strategy paid off and the alliance breezed through the finals to win the tournament."
Team 3333Z ”Mo’ Bees,” 8th graders Aaron Palardy, Jackson Plas, John Jernigan, Teegan McLeod, and Andrew Schaldenbrand. Team 33F, or ”Brainstorm,” is comprised of NDP seniors Vince Larsson, Nolan Weimer, Tommy Frost and Gabe Birchmeier.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org