More than $1,000 was raised over the weekend for the fight against breast cancer as the Francis Parker School W.A.R. "We Are Robot" Lords and the High Tech High Holy Cows co-hosted the Battle at the Border robotics tournament at Parker's Linda Vista Campus.
After qualification matches, Parker joined teams from Kearny High School and Mission Hills High School (San Marcos) as finalists. Councilwoman Sherri Lightner — among an estimated 1,000 spectators and competitors at the event — said Oct. 25 had been declared Battle at the Border Day by the San Diego City Council.
"Parker also won the Gracious Professionalism Award, an award that is voted on by teams," said Ryan Griggs, the School's robotics coordinator. "Every team left saying that they were excited to come back next year."
The winning three-team "alliance" of robot teams was Code Orange 3476, a Orange County community based team, which partnered with the SuperNURDS of San Pasqual High School and the DEM BOTS, from Temecula Preparatory School.
About 35 Upper School students and three faculty members took part for Parker. The Middle School also had close to 10 students and faculty involved in the FIRST LEGO League demonstration in the cafeteria. FIRST means "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology."
"One of the best things about the event was seeing all the students working together and moving the entire event forward in a positive manner," said Michael Maunu, a Parker math teacher and robotics adviser.
The event, featuring 26 teams from as far as Phoenix, was live-streamed at twitch.tv. Event video also is slated for Parker robotics' YouTube channel.