The Highland Robotics Team (from L-R) — Lane Griffis, Emily Streb, Matt Butler, Luke Van Schoyck, Sam Smith, Jack Streb, Nathan Butler, Connor Cermak, Robert Yoder, Austin Cromer, and Coach Tim Surine (not pictured: Brock Beinhart); photo by Joe Cerwinske

The Highland High School Robotics Team, also known as the Finger Tightans, recently took part in the state competition in Coralville, and returned home with the prestigious Inspire Award in tow. The Inspire Award is the highest honor a team can receive, and recognizes a team’s technical acumen, cooperation with other teams, and community outreach. The team was invited to the most recent Highland School Board meeting, where they talked about the competitions, as well as how they plan to use what they learned in the robotics team to influence their future plans.

Superintendent Chris Armstrong attended the competition, and he was complimentary of the event, “The bleachers were jam-packed full. Each competition area had a camera on it where it was being filmed and thrown up onto a big screen. People were cheering, the students were just doing an excellent job. It was quite a sight to see. I was just extremely impressed with the entire event. And I was very impressed with our team and how they were functioning, how they were supporting one another, and then to hear how they supported other teams, it was just quite an event to witness.” The school board was also impressed by the work of the Finger Tightans, and presented a $150 donation on behalf of Hills Bank.