Siletz news /, March 01, 2003, Page 9, Image 9

TRIBAL MEMBER NEWS
A Memorable Day at the State
Lego Robotics Competition
by Peter Hatch
It was an enormous high school, but
it sure seemed crowded that day.
On Jan. 18, 79 teams came to
Clackamas High School to compete,
not with their speed and athletic skill
but with the power of their minds, in
the first Lego League Oregon state
robotics championships.
Many more people came to watch;
who wouldn't be nervous? The teams
attending the competition were the
cream of the crop. Seventy-nine teams
had made it through one of the playoff
rounds (including the other four teams
from my school and two tribal teams
from Warm Springs). My name is Peter
Hatch and I was just one member of
one of those teams, all working
furiously to win.
My two teammates (Kelsey and
Susannah) wrote programs for the robot
(left photo) while I worked on the
mechanical design. The competition
was divided into three parts.
•
•
•
The table competition, where
our robots performed tasks on a
pre-set obstacle course (two rounds
that lasted only two and a half
minutes each)
The research presentation, where
teams thought of a robotic solution
to a problem in our city and
presented it to a panel of judges
The technical interview, where
another panel of judges asked us
questions about our robot
Gladys S. Muschamp
1914-2003
Gladys S. Muschamp, 88, of Siletz, Ore., died Feb. 3, 2003.
She was bom Sept. 3, 1914, in Corvallis, Ore., to Ida (Samuels) and
James Bensell. She was a life-long resident of Siletz.
She was a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon
and a tribal elder. Gladys was one of the last full-blooded Siletz Indians.
She married George Muschamp Sr. in 1945. She enjoyed digging for
roots, picking fems, going for car drives, and basket weaving.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law George Jr. and Judy
Muschamp and Jack and Shirley Muschamp, all of Siletz; three grandchildren,
Clint Muschamp of Florida, Marci Garrett of Siletz, and Holly John of
Lawrence, Kan.; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death
by her husband, George, in 1996, and a son, Donald Muschamp.
A memorial service was held at the Siletz Tribal Community Center on
Feb. 7, followed by interment at Paul Washington Cemetery in Siletz.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Siletz Tribal Elder Fund.
The Team, I to r: Peter Hatch, Kelsey Yocum, our coach Dale Yocum,
and Susannah Gibbs (photos by Daniel Payne)
The entire day was exhausting
event after exhausting event, but
eventually it was all finished. Only the
award ceremonies were left as we all
sat more nervous than we had been
throughout the entire day, anxiously
waiting for the results.
There were 12 categories of
trophies. Fewer than half of the teams
would leave with anything to show for
their efforts. The teams from Warm
Springs took home trophies in the
“Against All Odds” category, which is
awarded to teams who overcame great
hardship to compete.
Three of the other four teams from
my school were called up for trophies.
Finally, it was our turn. We received a
first place trophy for Robust Design!
The judges were impressed with the
strength and dependability of our robot.
And so with our trophy (made of
Legos, of course), we made our
triumphant return. It had been a great
day. I encourage anyone reading this
to check out the Lego robotics
competition next year.
Alaska Native
Medical Center
Features Native
Artwork
by Wanda Melton
I took some pictures of the Native
American hospital and clinic in
Anchorage, Alaska. It serves all
of Alaska.
The giftshop in the hospital had
nothing but Native American artwork.
We were in there about two hours
just looking.
Every floor had a showcase of
art, including the work around
the ceilings.
March 2003 □
Siletz News
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