GREENVILLE, TEX.—Every year, L-3 Communications donates $15,000 to the GISD Robotics Program. This year, the money was presented at the Oct. 31^st Greenville Lions Varsity football game to Don Jefferies, Superintendent of Greenville ISD.

“L-3 has been a sponsor of our robotics team since its conception in 1992, we are one of 6 teams in the world to still have a team comprised of their original sponsor and high school” said GHS Director of Robotics, Adrienne Emerson. Emerson continued, “L-3 believes that this program helps young students develop the skills to become engineers so they support us financially and through volunteers to mentor our students.” Emerson also remarked that there are many Robowrangler alumni that now work at L-3.

The money goes towards registration fees for the year, which usually totals around $18,000 for three regional competitions and the World Championships, according to Emerson. Community support for school programs is invaluable.

Robotics Instructor and Director for grades 1-8, Johnny Tharp, believes the donation “helps continue the robotics program started in the 5^th grade for students that are interested in Science and Technology. The Robowranglers provide a logical stepping stone to college for these students.” Robotics Instructor at Greenville Middle School, Orion Casper, agreed and said that “the Robowranglers have established a good name for Greenville Robotics and having a program of that caliber at the High School gives my students something to shoot for.”