Lexington One Educational Foundation Awards $10,000 in Michelin VEX Robotics Grants

MEDIA CONTACT

Julie Anderson Washburn, Lexington One Educational Foundation Executive Director
PH: 803.821.1008
Megan Moore, Lexington District One Communications Director
PH: 803.821.1155

NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 20, 2023:  The Lexington County School District One Educational Foundation recently awarded $10,000 in Michelin VEX Robotics Grants to Lexington District One middle and high school VEX Robotics team. These grants are a result of a $30,000 commitment from Michelin North America, Inc. to support robotics and computer science education in the district.

Each robotics school team can use the Educational Foundation grant funds to purchase necessary robotics team expenses, which can be quite costly. Each year teams may need to replenish robotics kits, tools and equipment, as well as pay team registration fees in order for the teams to participate in local and state competitions. Foundation Executive Director Julie Anderson Washburn shared, “We are so thankful that Michelin leaders recognize the value of school robotics teams. They teach our students STEM skills, such as computer science, design, and engineering, as well as soft skills like communications, teamwork, and problem-solving. These marketable skills prepare our students for a future career in a variety of industries including manufacturing. We could not provide such amazing STEM experiences without such wonderful corporate partners who invest in our Lexington District One students via gifts to the Lexington One Educational Foundation.”

Each year a school’s VEX robotics team members must work together to develop, design, build and program a robot based on the VEX Robotics annual competition requirements. In addition, students must learn to maneuver their team’s robot using a remote control; conduct product trials; and correct performance issues either before or during competitions. Participation in robotics competitions gives Lexington District One students the opportunity to see how other teams addressed the challenges, to meet students from other communities, and to learn from their experiences. 

Our congratulations to the 2023-2024 Michelin VEX Robotics Grant teams:

• Beechwood Middle School – Team Coach Brittany Feaster; Principal Leah Saratopolous
• Carolina Springs Middle School – STEM Teacher & Robotics Coach – Kristen Young; Principal Dr. Brice Cockfield
• Lakeside Middle School – Team Coach Ben Godfrey; Principal Casey Calhoun
• Pelion Middle School – Team Coach John Leneschmidt; Principal Jessica Keisler
• Pleasant Hill Middle School –Team Coach Darren Sigmon & Garrick Ball; Principal Julie Painter
• White Knoll Middle School – Team Coach Alan Lominick; Principal Donald Hardie
• Lexington Technology Center – Team Coaches Melissa Boehler and Daniel Cummins; LTC Director Bryce Myers  
• River Bluff High School– Team Coach Horst Daichendt; Principal Jacob Smith
• White Knoll High School – Team Coach Cory Summerall; Principal Nicholas Pearson

Based on the success of the district’s many VEX Robotics Teams last school year, with the two high school teams making it to the VEX Worlds Competition last May, hopes are high for continued success in this 2023-24 school year. The Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors and staff are extremely grateful for companies like Michelin that choose to invest in Lexington District One students and help to provide such wonderful, real-world experiences via our school VEX robotics teams.