LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Southold High School Team R.I.C.E.
870 upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the Engi-
neering Inspiration Award on April 9, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend and pay
tribute to those who, by achieving outstanding success in their educa-
tional endeavors and competitions, have inspired and brought pride to
our majestic Empire State; and
WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
the dedication and commitment of our young people who distinguish them-
selves through excellence in scholastic competition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Southold High School Team R.I.C.E. 870 upon the occasion of their desig-
nation as recipients of the Engineering Inspiration Award on Saturday,
April 9, 2016, at the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
Technology (FIRST) Robotics Long Island Regional Competition at Hofstra
University, Long Island, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Long Island Regional Competition is organized by School-
Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc., which was founded more than
30 years ago with the goal of cultivating partnerships between local
high schools and businesses which would provide students with practical
experience and curriculum development and help the business community
mentor and grow its future workforce; and
WHEREAS, Southold High School's Team R.I.C.E. 870 competed against 51
teams from Long Island, as well as a team from Brazil, where they placed
second overall; however, the 24 members who competed were proud to win
the Engineering Inspiration Award; and
WHEREAS, After inspecting all the teams' robots and quizzing the team
members, the judges proudly presented the members of Team R.I.C.E. 870
with this prestigious award, citing their knowledge of every aspect of
the development of their robot, named Killer Rabbit; and
WHEREAS, The award also includes an invitation to the FIRST World
Championships held at The Dome at America's Center, in St. Louis,
Missouri, from April 27-30, 2016; this marks the third time in seven
years that the Southold High School Team R.I.C.E. 870 has reached the
competition's highest level; and
WHEREAS, Before competing at Hofstra University, the Southold High
School Robotics Team won six of 11 matches at the Buckeye Regional in
Cleveland, Ohio, in March of 2016; and
WHEREAS, This year's challenge, First Stonghold, was based on a popu-
lar medieval castle-conquering and battle-strategy game; robots gain
points by incapacitating defenses and scoring boulders through goals in
the opposition's tower; and
WHEREAS, Before the regional contest, teams are given just six weeks
to create and practice with their robots, which are built to fit specif-
ic parameters and suit the type of competition, which changes each year;
and
WHEREAS, This year, the Southold High School team was comprised of 34
members, who dedicated roughly seven hours a night, even on weekends, to
build their robot; and
WHEREAS, Robotics classes teach students various skills such as crit-
ical thinking, collaboration, communication, leadership and ownership,
all of which have led the robotics program to a level of success rarely
achieved by small, rural schools such as Southold High School; and
WHEREAS, The incredible talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of co-Advisors, Christine Schade and Bob Gammon,

skilled and inspirational tutors, respected for their ability to develop
potential into excellence; and
WHEREAS, The Southold High School Robotics team members are loyally
and enthusiastically supported by their Principal, William Galati, the
entire school staff, family, fans, friends and the community at large;
and
WHEREAS, The dedicated members of the Southold High School Team
R.I.C.E. 870's outstanding performance has clearly made a contribution
to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school and
community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Southold High School Robotics Team upon the occasion of their
designation as recipients of the Engineering Inspiration Award on April
9, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members of the Southold High School Team R.I.C.E. 870,
Christine Schade and Bob Gammon, co-Advisors, and William Galati, Prin-
cipal, Southold High School.