In a message sent to school parents on Monday, December 19, RPRY’s Principal of General Studies Mrs. Chana Luchins stated: “As the Chanukah lights twinkle, I see the kedusha that emanates from all of our dear RPRY students. Recently, I was privileged to accompany our eighth-grade students to the CIJE Robotics Tournament. Beyond superior robotics preparation and implementation, it was such nachas to observe and share our students’ impressive midot and dazzling collaboration, as onlookers were impressed and commented how our students worked together under pressure and showed camaraderie in difficult situations. I am proud to share with you our recent success and that the RPRY eighth-grade robotics teams dominated the CIJE Robotics Tournament, with one of our teams coming in first place. Mazal tov to all of our eighth graders and their wonderful robotics teachers, Mr. Mark Snow and Mrs. Jillian Jeffries. We also appreciate the longstanding support provided by our Cypess RPRwhY STEM program.”

Sammy Zelingher, one member of the RPRY boys eighth-grade robotics team, said to The Jewish Link: “It took many late hours of work at my school, RPRY, under the instruction of Mr. Snow, for us to build and program the winning robot at the competition. All of the hard work really paid off and I had a great experience and learned a lot about robotics and engineering. I hope to apply the knowledge I’ve gained in both high school and the future.”

By Harry Glazer