A Stanley-Boyd junior named Jacob Brenner is headed to Houston for robotics competition, after being named a FIRST Dean’s List finalist. A member of the 8744 Leviathans out of Eau Claire. Brenner first became involved with the Leviathans after the Pablo Center put out a Facebook post seeking team members.
Now with four years as a team member for the 8744 Leviathans, Brenner has been team capiton the past two years. This year he was named for FIRST Dean’s List distinction as team lead, the FIRST Dean’s List award given to eligible sophomores and juniors.
An acronym, FIRST corresponds to “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,” a global nonprofit founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen and meant to prepare young people for the future through team-based robotics programs. FIRST Dean’s List finalists are named from sophomores and juniors after their team members fill out an essay on what the team member has done for the team.
Among the things Brenner has done include four years of programming, two years as team capiton, CAD (Computer Added Design), as well as outreach programs at area libraries. This past summer, he taught FRC classes at the Pablo Center as an FRC mentor.
Just this year, meanwhile, the 8744 Leviathans competed in two competitions, the first being the Wisconsin Regional at Milwaukee from March 14 to March 17, and the second being the Iowa Regional from March 20 to March 23 at Cedar Falls Iowa.
The 8744 Leviathans finished Rank 11 with a 10-6-0 record at Milwaukee, as well as being regional finalists and winning the Judge’s Award, while the regional at Cedar Falls saw the team come away with Rank 11 and a record of 8-4-0, Brenner receiving the FIRST Dean’s List Finalist Award.
As to robotics competition, it involves forming alliances. Teams come together to form alliances, as not all teams form schools. Team 8744 is actually made up of 7 different schools. Of the alliances formed, one group is called the Red Alliance and the other called the Blue Alliance. Teams are then given a task to perform, such as picking up a Nerf Ring off the ground and shooting it into amplifier, lifting the robot at the end as well.
STEAM Programs Manager. Mary LaVenture gave praise to Brenner for his dedication and involvement.
“Jacob’s achievements are inspired by his dedication to STEAM education and the FRC community,” she “said. “He has assisted with community outreach programs in partnership with the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, multiple festival events, and Pablo Center summer classes to name just a few of the ways he has shared his knowledge with the community.
With several other students from Stanley-Boyd on the team as well, Lead Mentor of the Leviathans Aiden Beauchene had the following to say.
“We are incredibly proud of our team’s accomplishments this season,” Beauchene said. “Each member has poured their heart and soul into this competition, and it is truly rewarding to see our efforts recognized. Our success at both the Wisconsin and Iowa Regionals is a testament to the dedication and passion of every team member this season.”
Championships are at Houston April 17 through the 20th, with a fundraiser to help raise funds for Brenner to attend.
