Hewlett High robotics dominate at qualifier

Hewlett High School’s robotics teams won four of the six awards presented at the FIRST Tech Challenge qualifier held at Francis Lewis High School in Queens on Jan. 16.

Team Bionica, the all-girls squad, won the Connect Award for connecting the most with their local STEM (science technology, engineering and math) community. The team that wins this award aggressively seeks engineers and explores the opportunities available in the engineering, science and technology world.

Team Innovo won the Motivate Award for most exemplifying the essence of the FIRST Tech Challenge through team building, team spirit and enthusiasm.
Team Roboboogie won the Think Award for overcoming their engineering obstacles by applying creative thinking. It is given to the team that best reflects the journey the members took through the engineering design process.

Roboboogie also won the second place Inspire Award that is given to the team that truly embodies the challenge of the First Tech program. Teams that receive this distinction are strong ambassadors for FIRST programs, a role model team, a top contender for the other awards and gracious competitors.

Innovo and Bionica will compete at the next qualifier tournament at It Takes a Village Academy in Brooklyn on Feb. 6, to qualify for the regional competition.
By virtue of winning its award, Roboboogie has qualified for the NYC/LI regional tournament at Townsend Harris High School in Queens on Feb. 28.

Team members

Team 3450 - RoboBoogie:
George Atsidaftis, Sam Bogdanov, Taylor Garcia, Steven Gershik, Brian Katz, Chenab Khakh, Lenny Khazan, Alec Krueger, Jared Lake, Gillian Moser, Matt Panzer, Dylan Paul, Matthew Perkins, Nate Roblin, Dominic Russo, Arik Slepyan, Maya Tipiere, and Jack Tipiere.

Team 7120 - Bionica:
Natalie Belluccia, Emily Booskila, Adriene Mae Cedilla, Bharvi Chavre, Louisa Evola, Michelle Gaykov, Sophia Giordano, Ali Hagen, Sarah Husain, Rachel Keltz, Mithuna Kumar, Morgan Lee, Shirley Leshem, Jada Letts, Nicole Matza, Mai Menache and Emily Simens.