Resolution 240404

..Title Recognizing and Congratulating the Central High School RoboLancers, winners of the 2024 FIRST Robotics Championship. ..Body WHEREAS, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global 501(c)(3) organization that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18; and WHEREAS, One such program is the FIRST Robotics Championship, which was held in Houston, Texas, in April of this year and attended by over 600 teams from around the globe, including Philadelphia's own Central High School RoboLancers; and WHEREAS, Among a crowded field of more experienced and better-resourced teams, the RoboLancers were considered underdogs; however, they excelled in competition, programming and driving robots in gameplay on a specially designed field, with judges observing and awarding them high marks; and WHEREAS, As the recipients of the 2023 Championship FIRST Impact Award, the RoboLancers received a decade of automatic bids to the annual competition, yet they were not among the favorites to win; and WHEREAS, However, equipped with a well-practiced plan to accompany their lobster-themed robot, Leonardo DaPinchi, the RoboLancers donned their whimsical lobster hats and outdrove the competition; and WHEREAS, The Robolancers' victory proves to the world that the students of Philadelphia have the attitude, drive, and intelligence to succeed and thrive in STEM fields on a global stage; and WHEREAS, This Championship victory is also a testament to the work of the RoboLancers' nonprofit, the Philadelphia Robotics Coalition, which supports more than 100 other teams around Philadelphia with funding, training, workshops, and events; and WHEREAS, This body looks forward to a bright future in local robotics, with more local teams notching even more decisive victories, and the alumni of those teams enjoying fulfilling and lucrative careers in science and technology. Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and celebrate the Central High School RoboLancers, winners of the 2024 FIRST Robotics Championship. and FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the Central High Robolancers, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. ..End