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Vol. 28, No. 37 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | January 11, 2012
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12 schools get Robotics race sparks state honors competitive edge Twelve Hanover County schools have been recognized by Gov. Bob McDonnell and the Virginia Board of Education as recipients of the 2012 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) awards for advanced learning and achievement. They are: Cool Spring Elementary, Atlee High, Kersey Creek Elementary, Laurel Meadow Elementary, Mechanicsville Elementary, Pearson’s Corner Elementary, Pole Green Elementary, Rural Point Elementary, WashingtonHenry Elementary, Battlefield Park Elementary, Beaverdam Elementary and Hanover High. Jim Ridolphi for The Local
U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-7, read to Battlefield Park Elementary students last week.
HONOREES: Cool Spring, Atlee, Kersey Creek, Laurel Meadow, Mechanicsville, Pearson’s Corner, Pole Green, Rural Point, Washington-Henry, Battlefield Park, Beaverdam and Hanover
In making the announcement on Thursday, McDonnell and the Board of Education said 447 schools and two school divisions earned the awards. The incentive program recognizes schools and divisions
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By Jim Ridolphi news@mechlocal.com More than 100 students gathered Saturday in the Hanover High School library, eagerly awaiting news regarding a highly-anticipated project. All eyes were turned to an onlinestreamed presentation that outlined the rules for this year’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition. Teams from Hanover, Lee-Davis and Patrick Henry high schools listened intently to FIRST president Dean Kaman as he introduced this year’s challenge. Here’s how it works: Teams from around the world are presented with a
problem that requires a robot in the solution. FIRST sends each team a kit of materials needed to construct the basic model, but the final product requires more thought and material. For Hanover’s team mentor, physics teacher Dan Bartels, the kickoff is the beginning of a hectic six-week dash to complete, test and refine the final product, a task that often requires long hours and lastminute challenges. About 60 teams then com-
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Hanover Robotics team member Casey Clark unpacks a kit from FIRST with the required parts for this year’s robot.
pete at the regional level at VCU, vying for a trip to the coveted FIRST see ROBOTICS, pg. 27
see SCHOOLS, pg. 4
Congressman takes time to read to BPES class By Jim Ridolphi news@mechlocal.com In a fast-paced and gadget-oriented world that sometimes moves at light speed, the simple act of writing a letter is becoming a lost art — in most places. That’s not the case in Pam Franklin’s fifth grade class at Battlefield Park Elementary School in Mechanicsville. Each year, for more than three decades, the teacher provides a list of notable names from which to choose, and each stu-
dent writes one of them a letter with an invitation to read to their class. Holly Beazley chose U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-7, as the recipient of her effort. The congressman answered the call, and stopped by the campus on Thursday to read to the class. Cantor chose “The Great Little Madison” by Jean Fritz for his selection to the class. It’s an account of the Constitutional Convention and ties in closely with the class’s history lessons. “That’s just a little excerpt of what
was going on back in 1787 after 100 days when 55 men got together to try and figure out the future of our country,” Cantor told the class after he finished his selection. Despite a busy schedule in Washington, the congressman appeared pleased to spend time with the students, and took time after the reading to answer questions. One student asked about Cantor’s leisure time and what he likes to do when he’s home in Henrico County. The representative said he likes to read, work out and spend time with
his family, often attending golf tournaments to watch his son play. “Those are things I like to do if there is leisure time,” he said. What does Cantor like least about his job in Washington? “I don’t get to live at home a lot.” He told the class the most rewarding part of his job is being able to help people. “As a congressman, you are elected to help people. That’s what government service is about,” see BPES, pg. 28