Robotics is one of the many programs made possible for students at Frenship ISD because of multiple community business partnerships and support from across the area.
During the luncheon, Frenship robotics coach and engineering teacher James Holloway, current FHS Robotics team member Noah River Pacheco, and former student Mark Dannemiller shared some of the amazing projects they have worked on during the school year. They brought two of their competition robots and demonstrated some of their capabilities.
Following the demonstration, Frenship Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Keith Patrick hosted a panel discussion where guests had the opportunity to hear from the students on how their program is impacted by community partnerships.
Holloway highlighted the support from the community they have received over the years. He also explained that because of these partnerships students are better equipped for life beyond graduation.
The panel spoke about how donations and community members volunteering have truly helped make the robotics program one of the most advanced in the area.
Dannemiller spoke about his experience with the robotics program where he not only learned industry knowledge but secured a state win for Frenship at the FIRST Robotics competition his senior year. With the aid of the advanced learning in the engineering department at Frenship and the existing partnerships with local businesses, Dannemiller was offered a job in the engineering field before he graduated high school. Dannemiller is currently working at Autry Engineering, the engineering firm that is helping build the fourth Frenship middle school.
Pacheco emphasized how much time and hard work his team has put into learning the industry and building the robots to the best of their ability. As current team captain of the Robotics team, Pacheco led his team in the most recent competition where they received the Gracious Professionalism Award for their willingness to go above and beyond to support their fellow competitors.
The panel and discussion, along with a District update from Frenship Superintendent Dr. Michelle McCord highlighting growth and future plans, provided the more than one hundred business professionals in attendance a deeper look into the ways their support positively impacts the students across Frenship ISD.