Tuesday, February 4, 2025 - Today a contingent of NEW Apple Corps students and mentors travelled to the state capitol in Madison to advocate for FIRST in the state of Wisconsin. The goal is to increase funding for elementary, middle, and high school robotics programs across our state.
The group attended training sessions in the morning at Menona Terrace and met with local lawmakers in the afternoon. This experience illustrates that, for our students, FIRST is more than just robots. Today they learned valuable skills such as teamwork, public speaking, and how to advocate to legislators about things they feel are important. These skills will benefit them throughout the rest of their lives.
The team met with Representatives Nate Gustafson, Lee Snodgrass, David Murphy, and Ron Tusler, and Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim. We appreciate these legislators taking time out of their schedules to learn about the positive impact of FIRST robotics and the NEW Apple Corps on our team members.
On a side note, NEW Apple Corps alum and Tesla grad Emma Schuff, who works part time for FIRST, led the group who organized and presented the event. Additionally, Joe Lambie, a current mentor and NEW Apple Corps alum from 2002, was there with our team to support our students. FIRST truly can be a lifelong passion!
Congratulations to our 2024-25 Leadership Team. We're looking forward to a great season under your guidance and vision! Make us all proud!
President - Dominic K.
Vice President of Business - Juliana S.
Vice President of Engineering - Jack A.
CAD & Design Leads - Lindsay H. & Xavier M.
DOC Control/Supply Chain Lead - Logan D.
Fabrication Leads - Evie M. & Natalie M.
Assembly Lead - Kahlo H.
Electrical Leads - Liam G. & Dylan H.
Software Leads - Sawyer K. & Justin S.
Brought to you by FIRST and LucasFilm, More Than Robots follows several FIRST Robotics Competition teams as they design, build, and compete with their robots during the 2019-2020 season. Watch the documentary on Disney+.
The team spent the morning talking about FIRST and showing off some of the work that has been accomplished this season. Check out the segments on Fox 11's website here.
We're back!! And we're ready to get back to a normal pre-season, build season, and competition season for 2021-22. The team will be meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00pm to 9:00pm through the end of December. New members are invited to join us at our team meetings to learn more about what FIRST has to offer and what it means to be a member of the NEW Apple Corps. Apply to the team by September 30, 2021 to be part of something amazing!!
If you have any questions, reach out the Mr. Schuff at schuffsean@aasd.k12.wi.us.
Who are we?? 93!!
Mr. Jim Thunes, longtime mentor and shining star on the NEW Apple Corps, has won the 2020 Woodie Flowers Finalist Award for the Seven Rivers Regional in La Crosse! Congrats, Mr. T!! You certainly deserve this recognition!
To read the team's WFFA submission for Mr. Thunes, click here.