YHS Robotics 'Shooter' Team in Full Swing

The shooter team, a sub-team of the Build team, is the focus for this post. The shooter mechanisms are responsible for deploying the basketballs during the competition. Mr. Mark Otto is the mentor for this team, and the father of another robotics’ team member. Mr. Otto is a training instructor for Local Union of Operating Engineers 150, located in Wilmington, IL. Mr. Otto is responsible for training engineers to become mechanics that deal with heavy machinery and the movement of such machines. When asked about his thought of this relatively new club he stated, “It is a great program to get kids interested in the industrial arts.” He also commented on the lack of industrial arts in the high school and thinks this is something kids need to decide whether this is a field for them or not. Without this opportunity, teenagers may not even realize they enjoy working with their hands and applying their ideas to come together and build something great.

The other members of this team are Alex Salinas, Erling Øyasæter, Joey Dellinger, Pablo Llamas, and Amy Hosey. Alex Salinas is a senior at Yorkville High School planning to pursue a career in genetic engineering. Alex is also a talented musician and has been accepted to play in the front ensemble of The Drum Corp International. Being a senior, Alex has been looking at colleges and has it narrowed between University of Missouri and University of Kentucky. Alex expressed his most prevalent struggle as “the need for patience and staying focused.” He also added that he feels as if he has rebuilt the shooter mechanism more times, than he wanted.

Erling Øyasæter is a foreign exchange student from Norway. He was unable to be reached at the time for interview. Pablo Llamas, a foreign exchange student from Spain, was also unable to be reached at the time of interview. Both students have been key players in the shooter’s design and construction. The Robotics Club encourages the addition of culture and bridges the gaps to make new friends.

Joey Dellinger is a junior at Yorkville High School. Joey aspires to be an airline pilot and is undecided about colleges. Joey enjoys fishing and hunting like most Kendall County boys. When asked about his struggles, he mimicked Alex’s struggles and added, “Measure twice and cut once. Then measure again and make another cut.” All meaning, that the measurements are difficult to obtain and a person is bound to cut something wrong one time or another.

Amy Hosey is a sophomore at Yorkville High School who wishes to become an anesthesiologist. Amy is also interested in singing and enjoys music as most teenagers do. Amy has expresses interest the University of Southern Florida as a college choice. Amy relayed that her struggle she experiences most is the uncertainty of measurements. She says, “Because the measurements aren’t set out before, sometimes deciding where to cut the piece of metal can be frustrating.” All of these hard working and dedicated students enjoy their activities. The shooter team is only the tip of the iceberg. They are a sub-team of the Build team, but significant to the success of the robot. The consensus was the way their one part makes a difference and how when the robot is functional all the teams come together to make something great. This is a team to beat at competition, and teamwork is how they get to be that way. There will be many more “spotlight” posts to come and a plethora of mentor interviews, student struggles, and safety glass pictures to come. What time is it? Prime Time!