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All-Star Winners

The Putnam Robotics Team won the Rookie All Star award at a recent competition. Front row: left to right: Hunter Robinson, Jordon Mailhot, Lionel Gotis, Kaitlyn Eddy. Back: Gerry Mailhot, Garret Sward, Jacob Ledbetter, Aurelia Ledbetter, David Druin, Adam Druin, Matthew Smith. Not pictured: Keith Gagne. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

The recently formed Putnam High School robotics team, the Putnam Scavengers, attended its first competition recently in Bridgewater, Mass., and came home with an award. 

At the competition the team won the “Rookie All-Star” award. The win qualifies the team a spot at the New England  regional competition April 5-7 at the University of New Hampshire. 

This year’s competition called, “FIRST Steamworks,” involves two alliances that act as adventure clubs from an era in which technology relied on steam power to prepare airships for the ultimate long distance race. Each three-team alliance scores points and prepares to take flight by adding fuel, characterized by neon-colored balls, that are vaulted into boilers, building steam pressure. Other challenges on the playing field include gathering up gears to start the rotors and boarding robots onto their airships. The adventure club with the highest score at the end of the match is the best prepared for the race and wins.

With their first competition under their belt the students were happy with the entire experience. Student member Garret Sward said his favorite part of the competition was the camaraderie between the teams. “When we partnered with other teams we worked together to create our strategy,” Sward said. 

Team mentor Matt Smith was also optimistic on the team’s chances: “This win was nice to get under our belt, it gave the team a great confidence boost. The Rookie All Star Award is considered the most prestigious of the awards given to rookie teams.” 

The award recognizes a team that is a partnership between the school and sponsors, and has a vision, leadership, and spirit. 

The Putnam Scavenger Robotics Team is hosted by Putnam High School and is open to any High School students. For more information contact the team via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..