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View Testimonials
Below are just a few of the testimonials we've received.
Have something to say about BEST? Tell Us Your Story!
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| Testimonial #1 |
| Name: |
Justin Allison |
| Type: |
Student |
| Hub: |
Denton County BEST |
| Team: |
Lewisville High School, Lewisville, Texas |
| Date: |
November 15, 2008 |
| Story: |
| This years BEST competition was awesome! I would say that this was the most challenging and one of the most fun yet. We had some really great teams come out this year, and even thought we didn't come out on top (we made dead last), we made a whole lot of new friends, and had a whole lot more fun! Go BEST ROBOTICS INC.!!! |
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| Testimonial #2 |
| Name: |
Andrew Sedlacek |
| Type: |
Student |
| Hub: |
North Texas BEST |
| Team: |
Texoma Home Educators, Sherman, Texas |
| Date: |
November 10, 2008 |
| Story: |
(I wrote an essay for an advanced composition course about my team and BEST. Some of it will be unnecessary to use because it was directed at those who have no idea what BEST is.)
My comment about BEST:
"T.H.E. robotics has lead me through all sorts of adventures. I experienced what certain careers would be like, felt satisfaction of contributing to a team, and even wrote an essay about it for school. This program is certainly A+ material in my opinion, and it turned out to give me an A+ as well."
My essay:
October 21, 2008
The Best in North Texas
Starting in September, an adventure takes off yearly for determined students around America. Named B.E.S.T. (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology), the organization challenges middle school and high school students in selected counties to compete using home made robots with other schools in their region. Qualifiers reach state-level competitions. This year, a Kick-off meeting held for teams in Grayson County under the North Texas hub assigned the competitors a mission. Creating a robot capable of grabbing, lifting and releasing accurately, each team aims to carry five cardboard airplane pieces and assemble them, carrying the finished product to the delivery area. Strict regulations, such as limited raw materials and sparse physical help from adults, force students to think and cooperate in a professional way. Designing, constructing, and operating a robot with a specific mission gives students the opportunity to explore a variety of careers, to contribute to a team, and to work diligently together.
Texoma Home Educators (T.H.E.), a top competitor in Grayson County, gathered about fifty students again this year to compete for first place. As the head coach, Ed Cox, urges the home-schoolers on, they quickly learn the meaning of haste, quality and devotion. Unlike public schools, T.H.E does not receive free facilities and teacher support, but generous adults volunteer their time and work space for the students. Placing second overall in 2006 and winning the BEST award(the award for documentation and presentations) in 2007, T.H.E. formidably challenges other schools. Facing new challenges benefit those who participate in the team, teaching and inspiring teenagers in profound ways.
Giving the deadlines of first a practice day and then Game Day, B.E.S.T. assigns detailed instructions to the competitors. Individual teams within T.H.E. face the challenges of designing, promoting, building, and driving a robot that can assemble two magnetic airplane models within three minutes. Provided with six weeks of time, T.H.E. attacks a workshop to build a small robot out of wood, wires, motors and other basic materials, including a brain microchip. After spending a week on designing the robot, the students construct it in about two weeks, taking rotations on weekday nights to tweak the creation. Meanwhile, the notebook team documents the teams actions for grading by judges on Mall Day, the spirit and display teams prepare paraphernalia, and the web design members create an official website. Also toiling with perseverance, the presentation team prepares for their public speech on Game Day, and the digital history team creatively records the action. Time drains quickly and the process daunts all students, but T.H.E. never gives up.
Students who devote a considerable amount of time to robotics receive the opportunity to explore a vast variety of careers. Designing machines might interest certain people, while arts and computers attract others. Several high school graduates who participated in previous B.E.S.T. endeavors pursue engineering in college today. Participating in T.H.E. robotics team provides opportunities for almost any subject of interest. From writing descriptively and designing websites, to sawing wood and bending plastic, any eager youth can find something productive to help the team and to think about the future. Demand for organizational leadership arisesanother possible interest. If students do not find a calling in what they participate in, they still typically enjoy a fun getaway from their daily school stress. Honing thinking and mechanic skills with a new approach, students receive an excellent presentation of potential careers.
Throughout the nearly overwhelming project, T.H.E. members interact together by encouraging and toiling as a unified team. Experienced and older teenagers explain confusing facts to the new guys, and show them the ropes for unfamiliar activities, such as fundraising. Accepting everyones ideas, the students reject no one, although they may disagree. Spreading out the assignments and stress, a team keeps the job moving. In addition to helping fellow members, students visit nearby schools with a demo robot, promoting the idea of a robotics team, and encouraging younger children to try out engineering. Trust pays a large role in the realm of teamwork, and every student depends on others to succeed. Through often-grueling teamwork with T.H.E, relationships commonly arise within six weeks.
Participating in a robotics team such as Texoma Home Educators benefits any student in abundant ways. Facing challenges together, a unified and determined team cannot fail. Parents and coaches rarely aid the students except with general guidelines, able to trust the hands of the T.H.E. youth. While the competition progresses, students soak up information about their ambitions quickly, tasting the tips of different jobs. B.E.S.T. provides an enthralling and enlightening experience, healthy for any active teenager.
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| Testimonial #3 |
| Name: |
Angela Traylor |
| Type: |
Teacher |
| Hub: |
Tennessee Valley BEST |
| Team: |
Academy for Science and Foreign Language, Huntsville, Alabama |
| Date: |
November 4, 2008 |
| Story: |
| This is my first year (2008) to take a team to the competition. My students were 11 and 12 years old and they were competeting against mostly highschools. They were the only middle school to advance to the finals. I am so proud of the job they have done and they are too. They learned that through teamwork and determination they can accomplish a task that seems impossible in 6 weeks. I will enter a team next year and I can't wait! |
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| Testimonial #4 |
| Name: |
Johnny Tarrant |
| Type: |
Teacher |
| Hub: |
River Valley BEST |
| Team: |
Northside High School, Fort Smith, AR |
| Date: |
October 27, 2008 |
| Story: |
| As one of the teacher/sponsors for the Northside High School BEST team this year, I can truly say that our team "came together" under pressure to do an outstanding job at our hub's competition this last Saturday. Both my partner, Ms.Mann, and I were worried that we would even field a team on Saturday; many of our team members were very spotty with their attendance to team functions. Our notebook was not even finished last Thursday! However, by the self-sacrifice of our team members,our mentors, and sponsors, we did finish the notebook, got in some extra practice with the robot and made a great showing Saturday, by reaching the finals. One of our members asked to be removed from the drivers list because she felt that the boys would work better together as a team. This was a big sacrifice on her part, as she had looked forward to driving our robot in competition. BEST robotics truly brings out the hero in kids, and our team is a prime example of this. |
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| Testimonial #5 |
| Name: |
Denny Fernandez Jr. |
| Type: |
Student |
| Hub: |
Connecticut BEST |
| Team: |
Roosevelt,New Britain,Ct |
| Date: |
October 21, 2008 |
| Story: |
| I was in the Oral Presentation it was a fun and nevorsioning experience.We got to see how we worked as a team and how other teams worked.All was fun and next year i will do it all over again.We were a middle that made it to the Semi Finals.We didnt win but it was fun.I loved all the teams that were there we all worked hard and good luck to the teams that made it to Alabama. |
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| Testimonial #6 |
| Name: |
Timothy Savoy |
| Type: |
Student |
| Hub: |
Tennessee Valley BEST |
| Team: |
Priceville High School, Decatur, AL |
| Date: |
October 13, 2008 |
| Story: |
In 2002, my family moved from a military background in Jacksonville, North Carolina to a rural area in Northern Alabama. Obviously, fitting in with a new community was a challenge and I did not find a niche very easily at first. Then, however, I heard about the BEST Robotics program from a teacher. The program was brand new at my school and I knew that getting involved would a great way to meet new people.
If there is anything that I definetly do over in high school, joining the BEST robotics team would be that decision. From BEST, I not only learned in areas of math and science; I discovered a vast, new community of people I can honestly call my friends. Everyday, I am proud to say that I contributed to a team that pulled together and created something extraordinary. In the times we won, we celebrated together. But the times that we lost were the ones that really pulled us together.
From BEST, I learned a new sense of commitment and work ethic. I have since gone on to persue an education far away from my roots in the South, but I will always remember the great times that I had with my fellow teammates. Sure, the times got tough and I was challenged with many obstacles, but I will always remember those obstacles as tests to better myself.
Finally, I can honestly say that BEST has changed my life in a great way. From 2002 2007, I was a part of a movement. I am proud to say that I am a part of that movement and will always remember the people who touched my life throughout my journey with BEST. |
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| Testimonial #7 |
| Name: |
James Howell |
| Type: |
Teacher |
| Team: |
Round Lake High School, Round Lake IL |
| Date: |
September 3, 2008 |
| Story: |
| I was in the 1999 competition in Round Lake, IL. It was the most fun I had high school. I really learned a lot. My dad and another kids dad helped out which was great because the other kid and myself never really got to spend much time with our dads. I was able to bond with my dad on a level that I never could before, and since, I believe, our relationship is a thousand times better. I think that it is great what you as a company are doing for school kids. I am in the Air Force now working on avionics systems on the F-15. I think that a big contributor to me joining the Air Force was this experience. My parents didn't take any pictures of the competition, so if you guys took pictures I would love to have copies. My e-mail address is Volka_jhowell@yahoo.com. If you can't for legal reasons I understand but would still appreciate a responds to let me know. Thank you. |
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