Robotics teams excel at Vex World Championships: Talk of the Towns
BRECKSVILLE, Ohio – A robotics season that started a year ago when Over Under was revealed at the 2023 Vex World Championships has come to quite a close for the Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School and Middle School teams.
The 2024 World Championships were held in Dallas, TX in April with 820 high school teams and 480 middle school teams competing from around the world.
Team 2011 from Brecksville-Broadview Heights was well represented by six high school teams and two middle school teams. These teams are made up of 28 high school students and 12 middle school students working together to design, build, program, drive and improve their robot throughout the season for peak performance at Worlds.
The diversity of the World’s competitors brings additional challenges for students to manage such as language and cultural differences during matches and networking for alliance selections that the teams do not see at local tournaments. It is great for students to learn from new perspectives and practice problem solving when up against language barriers.
All six of BBH High School teams were seeded 16th or higher for Division Alliance Selection. Teams 2011A, 2011B and 2011J, along with their alliance partners, won their respective division brackets to then move on to the “Dome” which is the World’s Finals competition. This means three of the ten alliances in the World Finals included a team from Brecksville-Broadview Heights. This was the third World’s Finals appearance in a row for 2011A, something that no team has achieved before.
A World Championship eluded the BBH teams, but 2011A finished 5th, 2011J finished 6th and 2011B finished 9th in the world. Along with the Division Championships other awards won by 2011 teams included the Amaze Award for 2011A, the Think Award for 2011B and the Build award for 2011F. The middle school teams did not see their season extend into the “Dome,” but they did have great success. Both middle school teams made their division brackets with 2011W winning the Inspire Award and 2011Z winning the Design Award.
The Vex VRC 24-25 Challenge has been announced, High Stakes, and BBH teams are already making plans to take their competitiveness to the next level.
Multiple videos and updates are on the 2011 Robotics YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@2011-Robotics.
For a complete list of team members, upcoming events and sponsorship opportunities, go to the Robotics Booster at https://www.bbhhsteched.com/robotics-boosters.
Community music: The Brecksville-Broadview Heights Community Band and Community Chorus will perform joint summer concerts on Mon., June 3 and 10. Held at the Brecksville Human Services Center and the Broadview Heights Recreation Center, respectively, both shows start at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Enjoy an evening of fun music, featuring local talent and a diverse repertoire. Bring your friends and family for a memorable summer night out.
Brecksville talks: The Brecksville Human Services Center presents, “Brecksville Human Services Talks!” Here’s what’s coming up.
· Mon., June 3 at 11 a.m. – Heart Health presented by Home Instead. “Your heart – can’t live without it!” Home Instead is Brecksville’s premier help at home agency. Let them help you take care of your ticker.
· Fri., June 7 at 11 a.m. – Bright Star Care Community Outreach Programs. You never can tell when you’re going to need help at home. It could be any sort of debilitating circumstance. For example, in Brecksville a wife had surgery and at the same time the husband fell and wound up on crutches. Now what? Be prepared. Learn what Bright Star can do for you.
· Fri., June 14 at 11 a.m. – The Alzheimer’s Association and Dr. Swarnalatha Meyyazhagan will discuss how Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause memory, thinking and behavior problems that interfere with daily living. “Dr. Meyy” will address “The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s.”
All programs are at the Brecksville Human Services Center at 2 Community Dr. Call the Center at 440-526-2499 to register.
Drivers needed: North Royalton City Schools is on a mission to recruit dedicated individuals to join their transportation team, affectionately known as the “BEAR Team.” The district is actively seeking bus drivers, van drivers with a CDL, and bus monitors to ensure the safe and reliable transportation of students.
To attract potential candidates, North Royalton City Schools is offering a $2,500 signing bonus for new bus drivers, along with a competitive starting pay rate of $23.85 per hour, or higher for those with previous experience. The same attractive rate of pay also applies to field trips, providing an opportunity for additional income.
Beyond the financial incentives, new bus drivers will be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement plans. For those interested in driving a van instead, the district is offering a starting pay rate of $21.06 per hour for van drivers with a CDL. Bus monitors are also in high demand, with a starting rate of $18.05 per hour.
North Royalton City Schools provides all necessary training to ensure new hires are fully prepared for the job.
Joining the BEAR Team means becoming part of a supportive community that values the safety and well-being of its students. Drivers and monitors play a crucial role in ensuring that every child arrives at school and returns home safely, contributing to their overall educational experience.
To showcase the opportunities available and provide interested individuals with a hands-on experience, join North Royalton City Schools at the Cuyahoga County Public Library’s “Touch a Truck!” Day on Sat., June 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North Royalton branch, 5071 Wallings Rd. During this event, attendees will have the chance to schedule a test drive of a school bus and learn more from experienced drivers and transportation staff. Representatives from the Human Resources department will be on site to answer any questions about employment with the District.
To learn more about the available positions and how to apply, visit bit.ly/NR_BusDriver or contact the Transportation department directly at 440-237-8800.
Habitat for Humanity: Broadview Heights and nearby communities are asked to support the mission of Habitat for Humanity by donating clean, usable furniture of all kinds, kitchen utensils, tools, vanities, toilets, sinks, kitchen cabinets, landscaping items, and remodeling materials of all kinds. No clothing, paint, or bedding.
The truck will be in the west parking lot of the Broadview Center property, 9543 Broadview Rd., on Sat., June 1, from 9 a.m. to noon. A tax receipt will be available. Call Habitat at 216-429-3631 to arrange for a pick-up of larger items.
Special meeting: Indivisible Strongsville is having a special meeting on Tues., June 11 at 7 p.m. at the Strongsville Library, 18700 Westwood Dr. To deepen our understanding on what is happening in Israel/Gaza and the role it may play in the November elections, Professor Jason Keiber, Assistant Professor of International Studies and National Security will be the speaker.
Empower women: The Women in Transition program at Cuyahoga Community College is hosting summer sessions of online and in-person classes to empower women pursuing education, training and careers.
Participants build confidence and skills through courses on personal development, career exploration and computer literacy. The courses are designed to help women through transitional periods, such as career changes or returning to the workforce.
Six-week sessions begin in June. This noncredit, no-cost program is open to the public. Visit the WIT webpage to learn more – tri-c.edu/women-in-transition. The last day to register is June 4.
Tri-C’s WIT program debuted in 1978 and has contributed to thousands of success stories across Northeast Ohio over the past four decades.
Let the Brecksville, Broadview Heights, North Royalton and Strongsville communities know what is going on with your organization, church, school, business or family. Email me at shirleymac48@att.net.
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