They were one of three teams to receive the Gracious Professionalism Award.
The Lenape Regional High School District’s Storm Robotics Team took home the Gracious Professionalism Award at the FIRST Robotics Championship, held recently in Detroit. The nearly 40-member team, comprised of students in ninth to twelfth grade from both Lenape and Cherokee high schools, continued its season-long streak of impressing judges off the field with its community service, outreach events and positive attitude.
LRHSD’s Storm was one of only three teams — out of a field of about 450 — to receive the Gracious Professionalism Award. Judges distribute the award, which is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, to one team in every two divisions. The term “Gracious Professionalism®” was coined by Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST Distinguished Advisor and Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. According to the FIRST website, the term “is part of the ethos of FIRST. It’s a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others and respects individuals and the community.”
When introducing the winners of the Gracious Professionalism Award, the judges said: “To win, a team must exemplify the principles of FIRST: fairness, humility, sharing and persevering, and of course, a winning attitude.” The judges went on to praise Storm, specifically: “This colorful team is molding the future of STEM. From kickoff to world championships, their impact is far-reaching, professional and easy to grasp.”
Leading up to the FIRST Championship, Storm won the NASA-sponsored Engineering Inspiration Award at both the district and regional levels. This award also recognized the team’s outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within the LRHSD and surrounding community. The team’s community service activities have included producing a crayon designed for youth lacking fine motor skills; volunteering to help with LRHSD community events, especially those that engage younger students in STEM; and establishing the new Storm for Storm Relief campaign. This year, the team embarked on this campaign to help the victims of the hurricane in Puerto Rico. Members plan to continue supporting these victims and others in need of assistance after natural disasters.
“I am thrilled that our Storm Robotics Team has been recognized on the world stage for something that I — and our entire district — have known for a long time. This team is made up of truly special students, who are not only intelligent and driven to succeed, but are respectful and kind to one another and to their competitors,” said LRHSD Superintendent Carol Birnbohm, Ed.D. “These students are the whole package. The entire LRHSD is proud of them and what they have accomplished this year.”
Outside of the school district, the Storm Robotics Team is sponsored by Lockheed Martin in Moorestown, Comcast/NBC Universal and the team’s parent group. These sponsorships make it possible for the team to not only enter competitions, but to also perform outreach and service activities.
“I’m honored to be associated with a world class team like Storm Robotics,” said Jim Judd, executive sponsor, Lockheed Martin FIRST Robotics outreach program. “Winning the Gracious Professionalism award is a reflection of the core values that have been part of the team’s culture since the beginning. My sincere congratulations to a very special group of teachers, mentors, parents and students for another great year.”
This year marked Storm’s third trip to “worlds,” the first since 2013. The team finished 20 out of the 68 teams in its division. Team ranking was largely determined by the performance of each team’s robot to accomplish a series of tasks, which are outlined prior to the start of the season.
