DAKOTA

Dakota Adventist Academy Hosts Robotics Meet

Dakota Adventist Academy has participated in several robotics events in recent years, but on Jan. 17 they hosted their first robotics meet. Held in the recently renovated gymnasium, nine teams participated in the regional meet: DAA, Tioga, Alexander, Wilton, Bismarck’s Career Academy and Technology Center, Shiloh Christian, St. Mary’s Central, Williston, and another school from the Minot area.

The robotics meet, which was described by organizers as a “scrimmage,” was an opportunity for students to test their electromechanical creations against peers—and the clock—in an official competition-level arena.

The robots feature limited computer-programming and are designed to perform specific functions. They are built by students from a variety of electronic, mechanical and structural elements. This year’s challenge required the ability to lift and move sizable plastic blocks around obstacles between two points within the 12 foot by 12 foot arena. Each machine was controlled remotely by two students: a pilot and a lift-function operator. This demanded practiced cooperation and split-second decision-making. Within each two-minute match, points were awarded for the number of blocks moved a

minimum distance, blocks placed or stacked on a special tray, and for other time and performance achievements. These elements produced great team excitement and fun for spectators.

After the initial rounds of single head-to-head competition, clubs were paired for the elimination rounds based on accumulated points. The demand for teamwork kicked into high gear, as clubs maximized their points standing by optimizing cooperative efforts with their new teammates.

In the limited space of the arena, this proved to be a challenge, but the pairings did well, improving as the matches continued. The DAA Tinheads made the final rounds, and their paired team placed second overall.

DAA student participants included Orrin Waldner, Colton Playle, Elena Goldsberry, Austin Hay, DaYeong Ko, Jaelyn Pickett, PawLay Pway, Rosalyn Ray and Casey Waldner. Two team members unable to attend were Tasian Subigca and Sierra Schlenker. “This was an excellent opportunity to be involved in a larger way in our community and region while showcasing our school,” said principal Anthony Oucharek. “We hope our visitors enjoyed their stay and share positively with others about what they experienced.”

Mark Seibold is vice president of finance for the Dakota Conference.

One-minute Radio Spot Impacts Cleveland-Jamestown Community

Approximately 10 years ago, while Pastor Darrin Purdy was leading the Cleveland-Jamestown district in North Dakota, a one-hour radio spot became available. Pastor Purdy had no experience in radio, but the Cleveland Church felt it was a worthy outreach. They chose to fill most of the hour with a Revelation seminar, but Pastor Purdy needed to introduce the program and take the last couple of minutes to invite listeners to return for the next scheduled appointment. This was his introduction to radio.

The Jamestown Church also wanted to do something, but a full hour was expensive. A radio station sales manager registered his child at the local Adventist school, so the pastor discussed the matter with him. The sales manager researched, arranged and organized a daily one-minute slot for when people were driving to and from work. “We will put you on right before the farm guy and right after the weather,” he said. He also arranged for

Photos: Jacquie Biloff

manageable pricing.

“These are little devotional spots, which we call Drive Time,” says Pastor Purdy. The slot starts with guitar music and the sound of a car starting. “The aim is to give people a spiritual thought and to get them to look a little higher in their day. There is an intro and outro, so I have 42 seconds; about 120-130 words,” he explains.

The radio station promoted Drive Time with an interview. Pastor Purdy spent a morning in the studio. Between regular planning, the disc jockey asked questions and talked about the radio spot: “What church do you pastor?” and “We have Pastor Darren Purdy here in the studio… Drive Time.” “I had to get several dozen done ahead of time,” said Pastor Purdy. I didn’t want to talk too fast, but I needed to get a message across. It is a challenge to eliminate superfluous words. I want to allude to scripture without being preachy; not doctrinal but devotional.” Drive Time became a connecting point with the community. Pastor Purdy’s goal was to break down barriers. “People believe you are legitimate because they have heard you on the radio,” says Pastor Purdy. “They become open to attending seminars associated with your church or your name. It also gives the church members something to promote, something they can be proud of.”

After the program ran for a while, if someone heard his voice at the store or saw his name at the bank, they would say, “I just love those little talks,” “It gets me thinking,” or “That is what I think about all day long.”

Pastor Purdy has since moved to a South Dakota district, but still owns the drivetime1.com website. His goal for the website is to have a blog where people can ask questions he answers, to provide Bible information and lesson studies, and to link to other Adventist media. His 260-300 one-minute clips are currently run on Bismarck Christian Education Radio Station 90.9, KTWJ, located in the basement of the Dakota Conference.

“I want to lift up Christ. I want people to know that God thinks about them and loves them,” adds Pastor Purdy.

Jacquie Biloff is communication director for the Dakota Conference.