Sixth grade students from Gros Cap School in Moran Township placed 10th among 24 teams in the Lego Robotics Competition in Marquette November 18. They are (clockwise, from left) Lawrence O'Boyle, Alex Knutsen, Lynette Colegrove, Lauren Goldthorpe, Michaela Cope, Louis Radecki, Ben Paul, Levi Thompson, and Jeff Misner. (Photograph courtesy of teacher Marcia Sweeney) Nine students from Gros Cap School in Moran Township and seven students from Mackinac Island Public School traveled to Northern Michigan University in Marquette to compete in a Lego Robotics invention contest Friday, November 18. The Mackinac Island team placed third in the competition and is preparing for the state finals division in Novi Saturday, December 10. Team members from Mackinac Island’s eighth grade class are Tymon Horn, Jane Finkel, Shelbie Mosley, Roby Robinson, Jeff Roguska, Paul Fisher, Thomas Rilenge, and teacher Susan Bennett.

The Gros Cap team placed 10th out of 24 teams competing, and scored a perfect four points in research quality, said teacher Marcia Sweeney. Team members are sixth grade classmates Lynette Colegrove, Michaela Cope, Lauren Goldthorpe, Alex Knutsen, Jeff Misner, Lawrence O’Boyle, Ben Paul, Louis Radecki, and Levi Thompson.

“I am very proud of my students,” she said. “They scored perfectly in research quality, and weren’t far behind that in the other two categories.” Judges said they presented themselves well and appeared very professional in their presentation. The team enjoyed competing on the hockey/basketball floor at the Berry Events Center at the university.

The students had a great time, and called it a good learning experience, Mrs. Sweeney said. They enjoyed the entire experience.

“The level of competition in the U.P. has really been raised quite high in the last three years,” she said. “Next year's competition will be in Sault Ste. Marie and my students are already making plans!”