Report Title:

WHEREAS, three robotics teams from Hawaii high schools including the WAIALUA HIGH AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL AND WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM, participated and competed in the 2-day Silicon Valley Regional of the FIRST Robotics Competition held at San Jose State University Event Center, California, on March 23 – 24, 2001; and

WHEREAS, this spirited tournament, complete with referees, cheerleaders, and time clocks, also included teams from 49 mainland high schools in the two-day Silicon Valley Regional; and

WHEREAS, the success of WAIALUA HIGH AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL AND WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM is a result of their untiring desire for the challenges of real-world learning experiences and teamwork, centered around designing, constructing, and operating a robot in the FIRST Robotics competition; and

WHEREAS, the FIRST Robotics competition's focus is on the students immersing themselves in the world of engineering, and making a connection between classroom lessons and real-world applications, and to develop the total individual into an independent, responsible, and productive citizen who is prepared to succeed in the highly technological society of the 21^st century; and

WHEREAS, the WAIALUA HIGH AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL AND WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM consists of 15 students, a volunteer crew of engineering mentors, school teachers, school staff, school administrators, parents, and the community, all volunteering to work together as a cohesive unit; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that this body hereby recognizes and commends the WAIALUA HIGH AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL AND WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM for winning first place at the Silicon Valley Regional Championship of the FIRST Robotics Competition, and extends to them its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.