Aug 23, 2016
Robotics teams from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas will be arriving at Woodlawn High School to bring relief supplies and support for their competitors at the fourth annual Dow Red Stick Rumble, an off-season FIRST® (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition and Festival sponsored by Dow Chemical and the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
On August 27th, the gym of Woodlawn High School will be transformed into a medieval playing field where teams will compete with their 120lb robots to scale defenses and capture their opponent’s castle. Each high school team had only 6 weeks to work with mentors and coaches from their community to design and build their robot. The public is invited to attend, free of charge, to witness the spectacle of giant robots battling it out for their chance to win the Red Stick Rumble trophy and to tour the pits and see the magic of robot construction and repair.
Teams will also be bringing backpacks filled with school supplies, toiletries, and toys for those affected by the 2016 flood. Many teams are attending despite their members losing homes and properties in the rising waters. Some teams, like TorBotics from Hammond Magnet High School are competing even though their school was flooded.
“It’s not just about robots,” said Carolyn Arthurs, FIRST® Regional Director of Louisiana and Mississippi, “The fact that these students are coming together to support each other, when many of them are in desperate need themselves, embodies the true spirit of FIRST.”
Doors open to the public at 8AM with competition lasting until 4PM. Food will be provided by Newks and the Woodlawn High Snack Bar. Louisiana teams from Baton Rouge, Boutte, Duson, Hammond, Lafayette, New Orleans, Port Allen, and Slidell as well as teams from Texas and Mississippi will be in attendance.
As a Strategic Sponsor of FIRST® Robotics and the Title Sponsor of the Dow Red Stick Rumble, Dow Chemical is working through their Dow STEMtheGap™ initiative to improve the infrastructure of STEM throughout the state and nation.
FIRST® Robotics is an international youth organization that operates the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST LEGO
League, FIRST LEGO League Jr., and FIRST Tech Challenge competitions. Founded by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers, graduate of Louisiana Polytechnic Institute and Louisiana native, in 1989, its expressed goal is to develop ways to inspire students in engineering and technology fields.
Aug 19, 2016
Head Coach Malpica says that he is excited about the upcoming volleyball season. The Lady Panthers will look to build upon last season, which saw the team make it to the second round of the playoffs. The girls finished with a 21-17 record in 2015.
“We have two senior leaders, Kerri Williams and Myah Johnson, that come back with lots of experience. We will look for them to lead us back to the playoffs this year,” says Malpica. “We also have two underclassmen that are returning from our playoff run last year.”
Coach Malpica is clearly relying on the two seniors, Kerri and Myah, the most. Kerri will contribute from her outside hitter position, while Myah returns as the team’s setter.
“Kerri is our best all-around player. She is our best offensive and defensive player. She is very quick defensively and very powerful offensively. Myah is the quarterback of our team. We are counting on her to lead the offense and help us to score points,” says Coach Malpica.
“We have two juniors returning with two years experience playing varsity volleyball,” adds Coach Malpica. “Kennedi Barnes and Hannah Luker will help compliment our two returning seniors. Kennedi is our big middle blocker. We expect her to step up this year and lead us defensively. Hannah is one of our outside hitters, and we expect a lot from her this year also. Hannah has a lot of experience from playing club volleyball the last three or four years.”
Coach Malpica was also quick to speak about two new starters that have stepped up during early practices.
“Mercedes Pickens is a junior who is going to play outside hitter for us. She has done well through the first few practices and we look for her to contribute. Kyra Britton is an incoming freshman who we expect to start from day one. She will play middle blocker for us this season.”
With the recent flooding of our community, the Lady Panthers have had to reorganize their schedule. The girls have had to cancel all of their scrimmages that were scheduled, along with cancelling practices. Woodlawn will look to begin practice again on Monday, August 22nd at 2:30 pm. The Lady Panthers will then travel to Brusly on Tuesday for their Jamboree.
Aug 17, 2016
The WHS Panther Nation showed up in packs on Tuesday and Wednesday to provide meals and supplies to flood victims and their families. Over 60 volunteers, including students, faculty, and Woodlawn families showed up to help make care packages for displaced families. Residents were able to receive toiletries, cleaning supplies, and other basic necessities to get them started with rebuilding their homes. A big, “Thank you!” goes out to City Pork for providing over 250 plates of delicious barbecue pork and brisket sandwiches to our community on Tuesday. Chimes, the Stevens family, and the Jett family provided 250 more plates of jambalaya, red beans, and spaghetti for those in need on Wednesday. Families were able to walk away with a full stomach, basic supplies and knowing that they live in a community that cares about them as much as they care about it. The Panthers were also able to pass out “flood buckets” donated by University United Methodist Church and Broadmoor United Methodist Church.
Students, teachers & volunteers prepare & pass out food and supplies Tuesday.
Woodlawn football players and coaches were also able to donate their time and effort over the last two days to help clean homes impacted by the floods.The Panthers were able to remove damaged and destroyed items from eight different homes in nearby neighborhoods. About the overall relief efforts, Coach Luquet said, “I’ve never been so proud of a group of people as I’ve been the last two days. It is a blessing to be a part of a group of such great people! Let’s keep making a difference.”
Panther players assist with clean up efforts Tuesday.
We will continue relief efforts tomorrow, but we need your donations to keep this going! Clothes (tops, bottoms, socks, shoes, etc.), cleaning supplies (bleach, dish soap, detergent, rubber gloves, masks, etc.) and basic toiletries (deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) are still needed. If you can’t get to us to drop it off, we will come pick it up for you! Contact your nearest Panther for more information.
Aug 15, 2016
Faculty and staff have compiled a list of helpful website links for those impacted by the floods and for those looking for ways to help victims. Please check back for updates.
FEMA: Visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ to help find help for your immediate needs. You can also visit the following website for an article titled “Summary of Federal Aid for Louisiana Flood Victims” (http://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/summary-of-federal-aid-for-louisiana-flood-victims).
Baton Rouge Area Foundation: The purpose of BRAF is to make South Louisiana and the world a little better each day. They expand philanthropy, connecting people who give with the causes they care about most. Visit the site at www.braf.org.
Red Cross: If you want to volunteer, call the Red Cross at 855-489-2528 or sign up at http://volunteerlouisiana.gov.
Zeta Phi Beta: The Rho Epsilon chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority has started a GoFundMe account to raise money for families and students in the Baton Rouge area who have been affected by flooding. The group hopes to raise $10,000 and donate $500 to each family or student to help with the financial burden that they will face while trying to recover from the flood.
Rouses Markets: In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, Rouses Markets are accepting cash donations and donations of non-perishable food, cleaning supplies and toiletries. You can make donations at the cash register or online.
State officials are asking those looking to donate items stay off roadways around Baton Rouge and other flooded areas. Click here for a list of places you can drop items around New Orleans to organizations that can provide safe transport.
