Allentown High School Participates in Robotics Competition

Allentown Redbird Robotics begins its second year joining F.I.R.S.T Robotics (www.usfirst.org) competitors from all around the globe. Last year was a banner rookie year for the Robotics team at Allentown High School consisting of 17 core students who took the team to the championship in Atlanta Georgia.

This year we are already on our way towards a great season. Look for us at the Allentown Harvest Festival where our team will be giving the public a chance to try your luck at driving our robot in our booth on Lakeview Drive. We will also be competing on November 4th in the North Brunswick Eruption at the North Brunswick High School at our first Post-season event. The new competitive season begins with our kick-off on January 6th when we will be given the new game and begin our next robot design. Come out to Sovereign Bank Arena on March 1-3 to share the excitement and cheer us on.

Last year our funding came in the way of donations and grant monies. Participating companies included Bristol-Myers Squibb, NASA, TAH Industries, and local businessman and former board of education member Robert Cheff (representing Chase Manhattan). This year the team hopes to gain funding from some of these sources and from new donations and grants. The team will be partnering with the Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation (www.ufref.org) to provide prospective sponsors with a tax-deductible means of supporting us. All interested parties should contact the team advisor Mr. Robert Wicks at Allentown High School. For more information, phone us at 609-259-2160 or send emails to: wicksr@ufrsd.net.

Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation Receives $10,000 Grant From Bristol-Myers Squibb

The Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation and Allentown High School’s robotics team received a $10,000 grant today from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Bristol-Myers Squibb representative Chris Nalbone formally presented the grant to Allentown High School Principal Christopher Nagy and UFREF President James Derasmo during a brief ceremony at the high school. 

 “I am very grateful to Bristol-Myers Squibb for all their efforts to make a difference in the lives of our students,” said Nagy. “Bristol-Myers Squibb’s support for these educational endeavors makes this world a better place.” 

The grant will be used to purchase materials associated with designing and building a robot that will compete against other robots in various levels of competition in New York and New Jersey. 

Nagy said that as a result of these competitions and robotic club involvement, students are selecting certain majors that incorporate functions learned in robotic competitions. 

“Bristol-Myers Squibb is pleased to support the Allentown robotics team, and we share the district’s pride in their accomplishments,” said Nalbone.  “It has been personally rewarding for me to represent the company as a mentor, which has allowed me to take our support well beyond a financial one.” 

“We are extremely thankful to Bristol-Myers Squibb for their generosity, as well as Chris Nalbone, a Bristol-Myers Squibb employee, and Mr. Wicks, who serve as the robotics team’s advisors, for without their time and support, this would not be possible. We are also especially thankful for the great relationship we have with the school district,” said Derasmo after the presentation ceremony.

The Upper Freehold Regional (UFR) Education Foundation is a nonprofit coalition of the private, business, and civic sectors, dedicated to promoting quality education by establishing, supporting and enhancing programs of the UFR School District.