NCA’s First Lego League robotics team, the Flying Geeks, amazed judges at this year’s state First Lego League Robotics competition on Saturday with three perfect scores! Now, a perfect score doesn’t happen all that often. In the past few years I can’t remember seeing one. I’m sure teams have posted perfect scores before, but not with an autonomous program allowing the robot to complete all nine challenges on its own. That was an historic accomplishment recognized by all! As one parent from another team noted “They just put up perfect scores whenever they wanted”.

Typically the robots in competition go out from the starting area‚ perform a task and return for added parts or modifications before heading out to do the next task. Occasionally a robot will perform two tasks in a single outing. But all nine? On one program? And with a single unified robot design? WOW! The Geeks‚ robot returned to base after completing all nine challenges 1 minute and 39 seconds into a 2 minute 30 second trial. And not satisfied with this remarkable feat of programming and design, the Team included one more task; the kids added an arm to the robot after it completed their challenges and sent it out to reach across the table and complete one from the other team’s side of the table giving themselves and the other team points in the process.

And it just gets better. The Geeks, and Head Coach Randy Bohannan in particular, were recognized for their commitment to helping other teams and promoting the FLL Robotics program across the state. Coach Bohannan won the Outstanding Volunteer Award in part for developing a whole curriculum for rookie teams to help them master the programming, etc. involved in the competition. He provides training sessions at NCA for coaches of other teams during the summer and early fall. BAE awarded Coach Bohannan the Volunteer award for his efforts on behalf of others. I can’t tell you how blessed I was personally to observe our kids applauding other teams, accomplishments, encouraging them in the competition.

Many thanks and congratulations go to the kids, who worked long hours problem-solving together, and to the dedicated group of coaches who invested many hours of time and graciously lending their gifts of knowledge, care, leadership and love! The Geeks clearly “worked as unto the Lord‚” in their commitment to this challenge and showed compassion in helping others and encouraging them along the way. When people ask me what Passion for God and Compassion for People looks like in real life, I will think of these kids and the parents who supported them. One more mission‚ successfully accomplished, Geeks! We are proud of you!