Jan 20, 2017
Madisyn McAlister ’18, Staff Reporter
On January 7, 2017, Woodlawn High School’s Panthrobotics team gathered at LSU’s Baton Rouge campus for the reveal of the FIRST Robotics Competition new game.
Christopher Duong works during build season.
The school’s robotics team hosted what is called a Kickoff event at Louisiana State University’s Digital Media Center where the team and many other teams throughout the area could watch the world wide release of FIRST’s new FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) game for the 2017 season. The game for this year is titled “STEAMWORKS” and is heavily based on Steampunk. In addition to Steampunk, the game this year pushes the idea of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) representing FIRST more than the idea of S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). This annual event was hosted by Panthrobotics, the LSU STEP program, Center for Computation and Technology, and Louisiana State University.
Earl Walker at a Panthrobotics meeting.
Once the reveal was over, Panthrobotics members helped pass out the FIRST provided kit of parts to the other teams. When all the teams had left, Panthrobotics went to eat lunch at Newk’s for a short break. After eating members rushed back to the Digital Media Center and started reading. The team separated into small groups and went to reading and analyzing the STEAMWORKS game manual. After reading and discussing in their small groups, the team came back together to compare notes and ideas. Once the team agreed on their top priorities, they left for home, excited for build season to start that upcoming Monday.
Build season is the six weeks given to FIRST Robotics Competition teams to build a robot that will complete the tasks of this year’s “STEAMWORKS” game. Panthrobotics first official day of build was Monday January 9th. The robotics team build site is the school’s ag room. Panthrobotics team members are building after school 4pm-7pm Monday through Thursday, 5pm-9pm Friday, and 10am-7pm Saturdays, the team gets Sundays off.
Dec 12, 2016
by Madisyn McAlister
On December 1st and 2nd, Woodlawn High School’s drama department performed their annual Christmas play. This year the collection of various Woodlawn students performed “A Dickens’ Christmas Carol – A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts”, which is a farce of “A Christmas Carol”.
This interesting play was chosen by Ms. Morton because, “It’s hard to find Christmas plays, so you’re stuck with doing the same play or finding something new.”
This is certainly not the same classic Christmas play many are used to. For this play, anyone could audition. For the auditions, those trying out were given a sheet of paper to put down their information as well as stating what character they would like to be, based off of a short description of each character. Then, Ms. Morton would select three or so students who were auditioning, and give them a script. The students would then have to cold read a scene and based off that, the roles would be assigned. Though anyone in the school could be involved with the play, Theater III and IV students are required to participate for a grade.
Even though there were difficulties preparing for the play, such as some actors needing to drop out of the play, the actors have been very positive.
“Stressful, but so far has been an amazing experience,” commented one of the actors when asked about the process. When asked about how they feel about the play, the actors replied with squeals of excitement. Those involved with the play have been supporting it by discussing it with anyone they can and posting about it on social media.
“Students are surprised about how much they enjoy it,” says Ms. Morton when referring to plays. “I think it’s hopefully something students will learn to support, like they do sports”.
Dec 12, 2016
by Madisyn McAlister, Staff Reporter
Woodlawn High School’s robotics team, Panthrobotics, traveled to Intralox in New Orleans on November 17th to help recruit more mentors for FIRST Robotics.
A small group consisting of Panthrobotics members took a field trip to Intralox located in New Orleans. Intralox is a manufacturer that “offers comprehensive conveyance solutions including conveyor belting, conveyor equipment, and services to help you optimize your plant.” Intralox has been a continuous supporter of FIRST Robotics. Intralox asked Panthrobotics to assist with a presentation for inspiring those who work at Intralox to become a FIRST Robotics mentor.
The small group included: Mr. Eiland (Coach), Mr. Jason Lejeune (Assistant Coach, volunteer mentor), Christian Lejeune (Build Captain), Madisyn McAlsiter (Outreach Coordinator), and Kohl Cleveland (Rookie). This group represented Woodlawn High School and the organization FIRST Robotics at the mentor recruitment presentation. Mr. Eiland, acting as his position of FIRST Senior Mentor of Louisiana, was one of the few speakers for the event and was in charge of describing FIRST Robotics and all of its little details to those attending the presentation. The students assisted with the presentation by demonstrating the team’s robot and talking one on one with those attending the event about FIRST, mentors, and Panthrobotics.
“It should be a really interesting experience.” said Christian Lejeune before attending the actual event, and it seems that his assumptions were correct.
Nov 14, 2016
Woodlawn High School’s Robotics Team, Panthrobotics, hosted it’s fourth annual FIRST Lego League Qualifier in the high school gym on Saturday, November 12, 2016. Students from thirteen elementary and middle schools competed for the chance to attend the State Championship in New Orleans on December 10th. Panthrobotics members volunteered as judges, referees, game-announcers, and in a variety of other positions to help run this great event.
Students who participated were judged on their ability to design and program a Lego Robot, engage in a research project, and demonstrate the Core Values of the FIRST Lego League Program. They then competed with their robot against the other teams in a best of three tournament. In the end, The Exploding Bluejays from Oak Grove Primary School won both the Robot Performance award as well as the coveted Champions Award for their commitment to excellence in all areas of the challenge.
Congratulations to all teams that participated and good luck at the State Championship!
Oct 3, 2016
The Woodlawn High ‘Powerhouse Purple’ Marching Band will be performing its complete 2016 show after the Homecoming game versus Belaire on October 6, 2016. This will mark the first time this school year that the band has done so. The half-time show, titled ‘Vision Quest’, depicts the Native American rite of passage from childhood to adulthood of the same name. The band will perform the show in competition at the Dutchtown High School Competition on October 15, and at the McNeese State University ‘Showdown at Sundown’ competition in Lake Charles, La. on October 22.
The drum majors for this year are senior Blaine Van Stock and junior Alisa Webb. Other student leaders include Christoper Jones, Christian LeJeune, TJ Walker, Joshua Hayden, Javin Leggett, Logan Fontenot, Jay Allen, Keon Simmons, Meshak Muyaka, and Seryna White.
In other exciting news, the Woodlawn High Band Department has been awarded a $2000 grant from the Jazz and Heritage Festival Foundation of New Orleans to be used towards the purchase of a new 18 foot enclosed trailer to transport various band instruments and equipment to performances. The grant is a ‘matching funds’ type, meaning the band must now find an additional $2000 to match the Jazz and Heritage Foundation’s award. The new trailer will replace the current 14 foot trailer, which has become too small and definitely has shown its wear and tear over the years!
