A five-member, all-female underwater robotics team from Lanier High School in Sugar Hill, nicknamed the Sea Cows, has qualified for the MATE ROV (robotics) Competition World Championships in Longmont, Colorado, this summer.
The team is made up of Junior Makenna Reilly; Sophomores Eliss Palacios, Ciana Lee, and Sarah Redstrom, as well as Freshman Violet Brockmann.
Mike Reilly, Lanier High School business education and robotics coach, is proud of his talented students. “I have coached competitive robotics for almost two decades, and this team is so impressive for so many reasons,” Reilly shares. “All that they have done is from their self-motivated learning, their creativity and problem-solving, their determination, and collaboration.” The Sea Cows robots team was founded three years ago. The first year it won the regional engineering award, and last year the team placed third in state competition.
The MATE ROV (remotely operated vehicle) competition is an underwater robotics challenge that engages a global community of learners each year. This year, the competition is highlighting the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and inspiring the global community to embrace environmental, social, and governance efforts to create a sustainable future on the ocean planet. The competition challenges each team to design and build an ROV and the necessary sensors and tooling to support work on combat climate change, provide clean energy, feed the growing global population, monitor ocean health, and preserve maritime history.
The team practiced every weekend and worked daily on making improvements to their design. Two of the students flew to Dallas the day after qualifying for the World Championships. They were representing the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair at UGA in the Engineering category at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, focusing on their underwater technology.
The biggest challenge facing the Sea Cows team is raising $10,000 in four weeks to attend the competition. If the team exceeds their fundraising goal, they plan to use the excess money to fund STEM activities for girls in the community and recruit girls that cannot typically afford STEM camps and other similar enrichment opportunities.
Among Lanier High School’s student population, approximately 40 percent are eligible for Free and Reduced-price meals. As a result, the Sea Cows Robotics Team has limited financial means to cover expenses to attend this competition.
Coach Reilly says: “We have been given amazing assets in our school to help our students to create what they envision, and these girls have gone beyond our expectations. I sincerely hope we can get these girls the support they need to compete at the World Championships. Last year, they qualified for the championship, but we could not afford to go. Most importantly, this goes beyond this contest. We want to give young women a safe place to explore and push their STEM passions.”
In an effort to support the team, Reilly set up a GoFundMe account. “I have never used GoFundMe before, but these girls deserve every effort I can give. We appreciate any help the community can offer to create some of the STEM leaders of tomorrow,” he says.
Friday-N-Duluth summer entertainment begins May 26
Get ready for an unforgettable summer as Fridays-N-Duluth makes a triumphant return to Downtown Duluth! Starting May 26 and continuing throughout the summer, this family-friendly event series will enhance the lively atmosphere of Downtown Duluth, entertainment, food, and fun to the heart of the city. It will have food trucks and live music to themed nights.
Each Friday from 6-9 p.m., you can join the festivities on Town Green with cuisine, performances, and experiences. With three stages featuring musicians, an array of vendors and yard games, everyone will be entertained.
Special themed evenings add an extra layer of excitement and provide distinctive experiences for attendees. Events Coordinator Jessica Gross says: “Our goal with Fridays-N-Duluth is to create an inclusive and memorable experience for the community. Each themed night adds a unique flavor to the overall celebration.”
The weekly food truck and entertainment lineup for Fridays-N-Duluth will be announced every Wednesday before each event. Stay updated by visiting the website at duluthga.net/events
Peach State Foundation awards $230,000 in scholarships, grants
The Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation announces the recipients of its 2023 scholarship program. This year, the foundation presented over $230,000 in scholarships and educational grants to high school students and adult members seeking career advancement throughout Peach State Federal Credit Union’s service area.
Peach State’s President/CEO, Marshall Boutwell says: “As a credit union deeply ingrained in the education system, we are grateful to be able to continue a tradition that helps ease the financial responsibilities of continuing education for so many. This is just one of the many ways in which Peach State expresses its dedication and commitment in making meaningful impacts in the communities that we serve.”
Twenty-nine Career Advancement Scholarships in honor of the credit union’s founders were awarded to the adult members seeking growth in their careers through continuing education.
Five Legacy Student Scholarships were awarded to high school seniors who will be attending college to pursue a degree in any field. These scholarships were established in honor of past and present board members and employees who have served Peach State for 20 years or more. They include Dylan Clearfield, Norcross High School and Beck Richards, Archer High School/
School System and Community Honoree Scholarships were awarded to the following seniors graduating high school as a tribute to the local school systems and community leaders:
- Meghana Kottapalli, Discovery High School, Dr. Frances Davis Scholarship;
- Riley Stewart, Archer High School, Rick Cost Scholarship; and
- Julianne Turner, Loganville High School, Dr. Gary Hobbs Scholarship.
In addition, Peach State supports the following with scholarships and educational grants: Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation; Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation; and Gwinnett Technical College Foundation.
French American Chamber signs local partnership agreement
From left are French Consul General Anne-Laure Desjonquères; FACC Executive Director Katherine Lafourcade; Chamber Board Chair Dean Collins; and Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett President and CEO Nick Masinso.
The French American Chamber of Commerce, Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett are new partners! A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed this week at the Gwinnett Chamber’s monthly Board of Directors meeting. It recognizes the intent of these organizations to collaborate, champion, and drive global business in both the region and abroad.
Dean Collins, 2023 chair of the Gwinnett Chamber Board, says:“The Gwinnett Chamber was proud to include the French American Chamber of Commerce Atlanta Southeast as a partner during last year’s Multi-Chamber Mixer. We look forward to strengthening the two-way investments between Gwinnett and France.” The Gwinnett Chamber’s partnership agreements with nine other bilateral chambers.
Since its foundation in 1985, French American Chamber of Commerce (FACC-Atlanta) has promoted and supported French American business opportunities throughout France and the Southeast United States. In 2021, the chamber relocated its office to Curiosity Lab in Peachtree Corners to better support the booming tech ecosystem in this mega-region.
Katherine Lafourcade, FACC-Atlanta’s Executive Director, says: “The French American Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta Southeast is proud to join forces with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Aligning our efforts will help us reinforce our presence in the local area and make the activities of the French American Chamber better known to local companies, whether they are of French origin with a presence in Gwinnett County or U.S. companies interested in the tremendous business opportunities that France has to offer..”
Joining Executive Director Katherine Lafourcade for the MOU signing ceremony was Atlanta’s French Consul General Anne-Laure Desjonquères. “The French American Chamber of Commerce plays a key role in promoting mutual understanding and economic relations between France and the U.S.,” said Consul General Desjonquères.
France’s foreign direct investment represents the fifth largest global presence in Georgia and Gwinnett and has created more than 24,000 jobs and $3.4 billion in annual trade. Since its inception in 2007, Partnership Gwinnett has led two trade mission trips to France in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the French American Chamber of Atlanta Southeast, Georgia Power, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber.
EMC Foundation grants go to four institutions
A $15,000 Jackson EMC Foundation check to Gwinnett-Walton Habitat for Humanity will provide supplies for its latest house build. At the check presentation were, from left, Jennifer Fennell, Jackson EMC Gwinnett district manager; Beauty Baldwin, Jackson EMC Foundation board member; and Brent Bohanan, Gwinnett-Walton Habitat for Humanity executive director.
The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total of $86,200 in grants for organizations during its recent meeting, including $50,000 to organizations serving Gwinnett County.
- $20,000 to Hi-Hope Service Center, Lawrenceville, to help fund part-time nursing and nutrition services for 20 Gwinnett County residents with developmental disabilities/
- $15,000 to Gwinnett-Walton Habitat for Humanity, to provide a HVAC unit, interior trim, doors, cabinets, flooring and vanities for house #154 in Gwinnett County.
- $10,000 to My Sister’s Place Inc., a shelter for homeless women and children serving all counties in the Jackson EMC service area, for its residence assistance program.
- $5,000 to Just People Inc., Norcross, for its financial assistance program serving adults with developmental disabilities in Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson counties.
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