Bank donates to Gilford High robotics team

GILFORD — Meredith Village Savings Bank has donated $5,000 to Gilford High School's FIRST Robotics team to help offset competition registration fees and travel costs for the team.

FIRST robotics competitions combine the excitement of sports with the discipline of science and technology. Teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand" and work together to build and program robots that perform prescribed tasks against competitors. As technology advances, FIRST gives students the opportunity and tools to keep pace with the growing need for technical knowledge.

Gilford High School's team, led by captain, senior Connor Craigie, is tasked with creating a robot that can perform several complex functions outlined in this year's FIRST STEAMWORKS competition. FIRST STEAMWORKS invites two adventure clubs from an era in which technology relied on steam power to prepare their airships for the ultimate long distance race. Each three-team alliance scores points and prepares to take flight by building steam pressure, gathering materials to start the rotors, and boarding robots onto their airships. The adventurer club with the highest score at the end of the match is the best prepared for the race and wins.

"Not only does the Robotics team give students hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM), but it also opens doors to college scholarship opportunities that they would not otherwise have access to," said Jackie Drever, 10-Year adviser for the Robotics Team. "Since 2006, our team members have received more than $250,000 in scholarship funds and many go on to successful careers in STEAM fields."

"I continue to be inspired by the ingenuity and passion exhibited by members of the Gilford High School Robotics team," said Rick Wyman, president of Meredith Village Savings Bank. "These students work incredibly hard, challenging their science, technology, engineering and math skills each day. I always look forward to what they come up with every year."

Gathering to acknowledge Meredith Village Savings Banks's donation to the Gilford High School robotics team are, from left, Anthony Sperazzo, Gilford High School principal; Rick Wyman, president of Meredith Village Savings Bank; Jackie Drever, Gilford High School robotics team adviser; and team members Conner Craigie, Brad Parker, Jackson Laflamme, Noah Presby, Topher Weimann, Neal Miller, Jae Horvath, Haylee Perry, Sophie Leggett and Katrina Boucher. (Courtesy photo)