For the first time in school history, NDCL's robotics team has qualified for the FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship Tournament following an impressive performance at the Kent State regional competition last weekend.
Robotics TeamQualifies
For the first time in school history, NDCL’s robotics team has qualified for the FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship Tournament following an impressive performance at the Kent State regional competition last weekend.
The Lions will head to Loveland High School — just north of Cincinnati — to compete against the state’s top robotics teams on Feb. 23.
In addition to qualifying for the state tournament, the Lions won four major awards at the regional contest. They won second place in Cuyahoga Community College Regional Design Award, whichrecognizes functional and aesthetic design elements of the robot. Junior Allison Daher was a semi-finalist in the Cuyahoga Community College Regional Dean’s List for demonstrating leadership, passion, technical expertise and creativity.
The Lions won Kent State Regional Connect Awardfor actively promoting relationships with professionals and companies in the engineering, science and technology community. They also snagged the Kent State Regional Promote Awardfor the team’s compelling video promotion to celebrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Through the FIRST Tech Challenge program, students design, build, program and operate robots to compete in head-to-head challenges in an alliance format. Guided by adult coaches and mentors from the professional community, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles while realizing the values of hard work, innovation and working as a team.
Mathematics teacherAshley Kelm, science teacherNathan Smithand academic coachTony Hodun advise the NDCL robotics team with professional assistance from Mr. Richard Ruggeri, Rockwell Automation; Mr. Tony Champa, Indelco Plastics; and Mr. Jon Kelm, Lincoln Electric.
Collegiate Athletic Intentions Declared
During a spirited signing ceremony on Feb. 6 attended by many relatives, coaches, teachers and teammates, five seniors declared their collegiate athletic intentions, including Aidan MacDonald, Ohio University, football; Zach Urda, Hillsdale College, football; Isabella Harton, Mount Union University, cross country and track; Annie Borah, Mercyhurst University, volleyball; and Kaelin Ettinger, Cleveland State University, softball.
Spirit Week Extended
The two no-school cold days that interrupted NDCL’s annual Spirit Week did nothing but heat up school spirit as the Student Activities Board extended the wintertime fun through the middle of last week.
Spirit Week features friendly class competitions ranging from scavenger hunts and themed dress downs to tardiness records and Twitter polls. The popular coin war netted $2,157, more than double the $1,000 goal. All proceeds will benefit Catholic Relief Services and Blessing House.
In addition to planning and directing the competitions, Student Activities Board treated students and staff to free ice cream sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, cotton candy, daily raffles and a prize wheel.
The week culminated with the raucously funny spirit games assembly in McGarry Gym on Wednesday afternoon. Students and teachers competed in nine high-energy games as senior John Burwinkel and academic coach Andrew Mooney provided color commentary on the huge video screens.
When all the points were counted, the senior class once again emerged victorious, proudly celebrating back-to-back Spirit Week championships in 2018 and 2019.
