[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S11735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING THE THUNDERCHICKENS

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to congratulate the 
ThunderChickens on winning the 2006 FIRST Robotics Competition. This is 
a tremendous accomplishment, and I am delighted to recognize the 
impressive result of their hard work, dedication, and commitment.
  The For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology, FIRST, 
program provides aspiring engineers with an opportunity to develop and 
showcase their talents by designing and implementing original robotic 
designs. Teams work together to build individual robots and compete 
against high school participants across the country. In total, 1,130 
teams competed in the 2006 FIRST National Championship in Atlanta, GA.
  I am proud to have this opportunity to honor the ThunderChickens, a 
metro-Detroit based engineering team made up of 38 high school 
students. Great skill, creativity, and originality went into their 
highly competitive robotic design. I would like to individually honor 
each member of the ThunderChickens and their mentors at the Utica 
Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology. The members of the 
2006 ThunderChickens include Michael DelBene, Jessica Zavadil, Shannon 
Willaert, Gregory Petty, Annette Palazzolo, Jacob Miller, Joseph 
Guzzardo, Sara Craun, Nina Fabian, Kyle Yaxley, Stephanie Hasty, Sala 
Sadaps, Steven Perry, Joshua Bails, Brian Turoski, Irene Zhu, James 
Courtois, Tony Kraus, Michael Harrison, Ryan Boyle, Brett Ankawi, 
Michael Lee, Salvatore Mattera, Joseph Scharnitzke, Anthony Schuller, 
Michael Ross, Ashley VanMaldeghem, Shayna Kunz, David Orban, Paul 
Szymanski, Andrew Fonk, Gregory Lau, Aaron Vedolich, Brian Lademan, 
Mihai Bulic, Heather Hampton, Ed Lionte, and Chad Thornbro. Their 
teacher mentors include Ron Arscheene, Anita Stafford, Mike Attan, and 
Janet Kent. Their engineering mentors include Paul Copioli, Ed Debler, 
Bob Korson, Mike Copioli, Mike Beem, Jim Yaxley, Rick Thornbro, Omar 
Zrien and Bill Baedke.
  This championship is a testament to and the result of many, many 
hours of hard work and perseverance. While the immediate result of 
their work is impressive, I look forward to the bright futures that are 
ahead of these students. They have established a solid foundation on 
which to develop their interest in the field of engineering. They have 
also gained invaluable, hands-on experience.
  Once again, I would like to congratulate the ThunderChickens on their 
remarkable 2006 First Robotics Competition National 
Championship.

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