Wired for success

Top row L-R: Zach Garcia, Coach Steve Fortunato, Dalton Reese and Jocelyn McNany. Bottom row L-R: Kyra Rodgers, Bri Buccini, Jocelyn Krieger and Emily Richards.

The Seneca Valley Raider Robotics FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Team finished their first-ever season with two trips to the semifinals and a second-place finish on Jan. 11 at Penn State University’s York Campus.

According to Seneca Valley Robotics Coach and Applied Engineering and Technology Teacher Steve Fortunato, the team worked tirelessly to prepare for all three of their state-qualifying matches this year.

This was SV’s first year starting an FTC team, which consists of ten students who signed up for an advanced experience opportunity. The students involved include Bri Buccini, Felipe Junqueria, Dalton Reese, Emily Richards, Mackenzie McIntyre, Jocelyn McNany, Kyra Rodgers, Charlotte Purcell, Zach Garcia and Jocelyn Krieger.

The FTC was created for students, grades 7–12, to compete in head-to-head competition, by designing, building and programming a robot to compete in an alliance format against other teams.

“We are now looking to grow our community outreach, develop workshops and camps for our future teammates and prepare for the 2020-21 season,” stated Mr. Fortunato.