MOBILE, Ala. — Robots are returning to the competition floor in Mobile County this weekend, one of several items in this week’s news from the Mobile County Public School System.
BEST Robotics Game Day
On Saturday, 12 middle and high school teams from Alabama and Florida will compete in Gulf Coast BEST Robotics Game Day at Davidson High School. The event is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an awards ceremony at 3 p.m.
BEST, which stands for Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology, is a workforce development program that introduces students to engineering, technology, manufacturing, marketing and business through real-world challenges. It is supported by industry and community partners.
This year’s competition, “Byte to Bite,” asks students to explore automation in the farm-to-market industry, showing how robotics and technology are changing the way food moves from farms to consumers. For the first time the competition also adds AI technology, with students using intelligent sensors to help their robots respond to their surroundings, much as automated robots do in business and industry.
“BEST is back in our community, and the excitement has been incredible!” said Robin Fenton, Gulf Coast BEST Hub director, who noted that a waiting list of schools wants to compete at the next Game Day. “That’s a powerful reminder of how much our students and schools value opportunities like this.”
Award-winning administrators
Faith Belle-Lucy, principal at Gilliard Elementary, and Talia Johnson, assistant principal at Hutchens Elementary and Dawes Intermediate, were named District II Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year by the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators.
Literacy honors
The Metro Mobile Literacy Council honored three Mobile County educators. Deidre Hall of Teaching, Learning and Assessment was named Outstanding Reading Specialist. Deborah Bosarge of Morningside Elementary was named Outstanding Literacy Teacher. Tiffani Wells, principal of Ella Grant Elementary, was named Outstanding Literacy Administrator.
Youth Services Ambassadors
The Mobile County Board of School Commissioners recently introduced this year’s Crittenton Youth Services Ambassadors. The students, nominated by their school counselors, help Crittenton teach life skills to students in grades 5-8, including decision-making, self-management and strong interpersonal communication.
The ambassadors are:
- Baker: Nyla Bendolph, Daniela Colocho, Sanaa Williams and Brenda Whitton
- Blount: James Cobb, Kennedy Dailey, Larry Roberton, Deonna Stephens and Herbert Wilson
- Davidson: Victoria Dailey
- LeFlore Magnet: Zoi Cooper
- Mary G. Montgomery: Colt Lovelace, Avery Smith and Nathan Williams
- Murphy: Tim Brown, Douglas Chestang, Laighla Hartley, O’Brien Jones, Jazzlyne Jackson, Kaden Prowell, Phebe Nguyen and Piper Velaski
- Vigor: Madison Bragg, Rhianna Johnson, Lauryn Madise and Demi Stephen
- Williamson: Kenyelle Frazier and Wynter Hawkins
Volunteers needed for mock interviews
The school system is inviting volunteers to help seniors practice their interview skills as they prepare for college and careers. Representatives from regional businesses and industries are encouraged to sign up. MCPSS career coaches organized the sessions with the Mobile Chamber’s Workforce Development team. The final sessions are Nov. 16-19.
On the calendar
- Schools will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day.
- The Mobile County Board of School Commissioners will hold a work session at noon Nov. 18 and a regular meeting at 10 a.m. Nov. 20.
