Robotics Team Update - by Jonathan D. '05

The UCVTS FIRST Robotics Teams is getting ready to embark on a new chapter in the teams short history. The end of this year marks two major changes for the club. First, Dr. VanEkeren, the teams founding advisor will be leaving, and second, all of the current seniors who were instrumental in getting the team off the ground last year will be graduating this year and be going off to further their educations at colleges across the country.
When this season started many of the founding members were concerned about the fate of the team after they left, but a year later they feel much more comfortable with the future of the team after they are gone and no longer able to keep things running smoothly. Earlier this month the new officers or "Jedi Council" as they refer to themselves was appointed, and ready to take over the club and continue Team 1257's short but strong and competitive tenure in the FIRST competition.
As for the "Jedi Council's" vision for the future of the club has yet to be determined. Last week they meet with the old Council where hints and tips were given about how to run the club, but the general consensus of the current Council was that much of how to run the club needs to just be learned though experience. This week the new Council will have its first meeting and begin to put together a new contact list of current member so they can get work done over the summer, mainly recruiting more sponsors. If you know of anyone who would might be interested in helping the team please contact either of their Vice Presidents for Public Relations, Justin P. and Jaret P., both ‘07. During the summer the team plans to spend most of their time outlining their goals for the new year and organizing new members. The robotics team is always looking for new members, and they have a job for everyone. If you are interested in joining please contact the Vice President of Membership, Matt W. ‘08.