atch
out Stuyvesant High School; watch out Brooklyn Tech--Thomas Jefferson
High School of East New York is in town!
In just their first year of competition, the students at Jefferson
built a robot named TJ-1 that won them the Presidential Classroom
Scholarship and the Judge’s Award in Florida. In doing so, they
outranked Manhattan's Stuyvesant High School as well as neighboring
Brooklyn Technical High School. Both of these schools have, for many
years, received a dedicated stream of dollars for robotics courses and
are accustomed to walking off with the prizes.
One of the reasons this is such a cause for pride is that of the over
1,700 students who attend Jefferson High School, approximately 70% are
Black or Latino. The immigrant population is from various islands in the
Caribbean, primarily Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and the Dominican
Republic.
The historic success of Jefferson's robotics club in winning the
Judge’s Award at the 2001 National Robotics Competition was acknowledged
at the City Council Meeting of June 26th as they honored the members of
the Jeff Tech Team with a Proclamation. As they did, Council Members had
an opportunity to glimpse TJ-1 in action and see a little of what
he/she/it can do as the robot rolled into the Council Chamber, turned
and faced the audience, raised and lowered, opened and closed
his/her/its arms, and even grasped and held up the framed Proclamation
for all to see.
The Proclamation read in part, "Today we recognize the students of
Thomas Jefferson High School, some of the brightest and most gifted
students in our city. They have demonstrated what is possible when many
come together in the spirit of cooperation, invention, and unity.
"Now, therefore, be it known that the Council of the City of New York
honors the student inventors of Jeff Tech for their achievements,
intelligence, and for building a robot worthy of inclusion in the next
Star Wars film."
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In
awarding the Proclamation, East New York's Councilman Charles Barron
stated, "A lot is said about Thomas Jefferson High School. If something
negative happens, the media's there. But now when we have some students
who, in an ingenious way, built a robot, that should be recognized, too.
In only their first year in competition, the students of Jefferson have
shown a resolve to obtain a superior education, regardless of
circumstance or public opinion. The quality and dedication of the
teachers there is evident also through the success of the students. We
are aware of the aptitude of our youth in East New York," he concluded,
"and it seems only fitting that their achievement be made known to the
rest of the city."
Said City Council Speaker, Gifford Miller, "Students and teachers,
congratulations! The Council thanks you on behalf of a grateful city for
your extraordinary work. There's nothing more important than what you're
doing every day."
A reason this success was possible is that the parents, teachers and
community of this school are committed to providing an atmosphere where
the mental, emotional and physical well being of the whole child are
taken care of and developed. According to the school's principal, Lena
B. Medley, Jefferson provides "an academic and social atmosphere where
achievement is nurtured." The school provides small units of learning
around specialized training such as fine and performing arts, law,
science and mathematics. Uniforms are also a school-wide policy.
When it comes to robotics, clearly, the Jeff Tech Team is the one to
watch. And we shall do so eagerly.
Donna Lamb can be reached at
dlamb@gis.net.
By Donna Lamb