February 2, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Steve Goodgame, Executive Director
KISS Institute for Practical Robotics
(405) 579-4609
sgoodgame@kipr.org
Inaugural Youth Advisory Council Announced January 28, 2009 - delay due to Oklahoma Ice Storm
I am pleased to announce the students selected for the inaugural Botball Youth Advisory Council:
Anna Cyganowski, age 19, Rensselar Polytechnic Institute.
Arvind Harinder, age 15, Greater D.C. Region.
Tessa Niehoff, age 16, Greater D.C. Region.
Wesley Myers, age 18, Carnegie Mellon University.
Aaron Parker, age 18, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Jeffrey Hsu, age 16, Florida Region.
Matthew Thompson, age 17, Florida Region.
Jeff Chan, age 16, Northern California Region.
Joe McCormick, age 16, New England Region.
Jeremy Rand, age 19, Oklahoma Region.
Nick Uebele, age 15, Texas Region.
Alexander Nabavi-Noori, age 14, Southern California Region.
Jake Sticka, age 17, Southern California Region.
These candidates were selected by a committee from a large pool of high quality candidates through a blind application review process. The committee was overwhelmed by the number of highly qualified applicants and wants to make sure that applicants who were not accepted at this time and prospective applicants keep up their Botball promotional activities and submit an application in September.
The application process included; a letter of reference from a former teacher or mentor, a survey of positions and responsibilities held on their current or former Botball teams, extracurricular activities, outreach and fundraising activities, and their written response describing what they have gained from participation in Botball and why it is important to be a part of the council.
International Botball Champions will automatically receive a letter of reference from the KISS Institute if they choose to apply for the council.
Jamie Boiles, Public Outreach Coordinator, has been excited about getting the group in place and will be working with the council to develop a strategy and plan of action for the group whose task is to not only promote Botball through social media but to also advise the KISS Institute on issues related to Botball.
“The future I see for this group is limitless. The council represents a diverse pool of high achieving students who are leaders not only on their team, but also in their school and community. Through their assignments and efforts this council will have an impact on a national and international level. These students have expressed a passion to see the Botball program grow and I am looking forward to brainstorming with them about their ideas,” Boiles commented about the council.
As was announced, the inaugural members will serve until September 1, 2009. Subsequent councils will serve a one calendar year term starting each September.
“I want to personally invite all current Botballers to keep up their Botball promotional efforts and to consider applying for the second term,” Steve Goodgame, Executive Director.
Steve and Jamie are excited to get started with the council and look forward to working with them on expanding and improving the Botball Educational Robotics Program.
###