Rutherford Weekly

Thursday, May 19-May 25, 2022 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 3 "We said we were like Chick-f-lay open every day but Sundays," Smith said. The team spent countless hours getting ready for local, regionals and state competition and yet knew they needed to keep up with their other school work. "Being on the team made me have more incentive to work harder in my other classes," co-captain Kasey said her year. She also said her perception of the team changed over the past months. "Being on a team like this is for everyone. It's not just for the nerds or the smartest kid in the class. This is for everyone." "All can p a r t i c i p a t e ," Smith chimed in. "Anyone can do this." Cochran said seeing the team compete with students from NASA and Silicon Valley and largest areas proved to her that the opportunities for Rutherford County students are endless. "We made it to the world with the best of them...Rutherford County students can have as many opportunities as anyone else," she said. Team member Zachary Saraga, a student at the Rutherford Opportunity Center said the culture was quite different. "It was very different than what I am used to in North Carolina, so industrial. It was so different and we got so many ideas," he said. Brayden Schalk of East Rutherford, said the trip was a great opportunity for students in Rutherford County. "I enjoyed every moment of it...I am not one to be a team member, but being a member of Omegabtyes taught me to work as a team," he said. Diane and Pete Dickerson of Rutherfordton were among parents who went to Texas and they went to cheer on their son Silas is a team member. "I knew we belonged there," said Diane. "We ranked 97 percentile in the world," she exclaimed trying to control her excitement. Some of the team members are seniors and many plan to study engineering in college. The two seniors, Kasey and Diego, are headed off to NCSU. Diego will complete a year at Isothermal Community College before heading to NCSU. The team also had an opportunity to meet students from around the world and interact with them. Kasey met a student from Turkey and they became quick friends and are best friends on Instagram. Diego spent a long time conversing with a student from Israel. "I could understand some of what he was saying," he quipped. The long trip there and back allowed the team to visit two tourist destinations to help break up the two day trip there and back. On the way to Texas they stopped in Biloxi, Mississippi and went to the beach. "Some of our students have never seen the ocean," Smith said. Returning home, they visited the Space Center in Houston. Cochran said she remembers Landen Proctor's comments when they entered the Space Center. "I can't believe I'm at the NASA Space Center. I never imagined I'd get to be at the NASA Space Center," he said. The season's successes fuel the Omegabytes' mission: to transform their community by fostering a sense of hope for the futures of children and families through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) and STEAM career awareness and education. Now that they're home, they will not stop. They will continue with their "Community Outreach" programs. The robot is a vehicle for engaging a diverse population of youth in fun and exciting educational experiences made possible by the long-term relationships the team is building with their county's Title 1 public elementary schools, local community centers, and other partner organizations across the various sectors of the community, Smith explained. Team members are Gracie Allred, Brady Anders, Fletcher Baccus, Morgan Beheler, Ryan Bennett, Reid Condrey, Jonas Conner, Silas Dickerson, Amaka Enerorji, Samantha Friot, Logan Greene, Alissa Griffi n, Mackenzie Hernandez, Casey Lyda, Jack McBrayer, Jimmy McCosker, Kayla McDowell, Tony McKinney, Andrea Mendoza-Paredes, Matthew O'Steen, Selena Prescott, Landen Proctor, Benjamin Roach, Diego Romero-Rojas, Abigail Roof, Zachary Saraga, Brayden Schalk, Tristan Simon, Kasey Smith, Emily Walters and Carleigh Williams. Business & Services Directory.......11 Obituaries............................18 & 19 Local Churches............................20 Outdoor Truths................................9 Classified Ads.........................22-23 Rutherford County Weather...........14 Fast Way Oil Kids Corner...............15 Community Calendar.....................15 B siness & Ser ices Director 11 I n s i d e T h i s W e e k I n s i d e T h i s W e e k ©Community First Media Community First Media VISIT OUR WEBSITE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.HARDINSDRUG.COM WWW.HARDINSDRUG.COM 720 South Church Street, Forest City 720 South Church Street, Forest City 828-245-7274 828-245-7274 Mon-Fri 9am-7pm; Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm OUR GOAL IS TO SUPPLY YOU WITH YOUR HOME HEALTH CARE NEEDS OUR STAFF WILL ASSIST YOU TO GET THE CORRECT ITEMS FOR YOUR NEEDS Diego, Emily, Kasey and Gracie with their favorite robot, Overbyte. Jean Gordon photo After all the fun and glory of being on the world wide stage, team members robotic lab Friday afternoon in the ICC Workforce Center to begin the arduous task of putting every single small and large piece of the equipment in its exact location for the next presentation. Jean Gordon photo Continued from front page. 356 E Main St., Lawndale 704-538-0508 ©Community First Media Community First Media Mon-Fri. 7:30am-5:30pm Sat. 8am-4pm Locally Owned & Operated NEW TITAN TORO NEW TITAN TORO • 48 INCH CUT • 48 INCH CUT • 23HP KOHLER • 23HP KOHLER 12/2 250 FT $ 155. 155. 00 00 This month's special... ROMEX ELECTRICAL WIRE 14/3 250 FT $ 155. 155. 00 00 14/2 250 FT $ 115. 115. 00 00 CABOT AUSTRALIAN TIMBER OIL SEE US FOR ALL YOUR GARDEN NEEDS! FULL LINE OF PAINTS & STAINS LONG LEAF PINE NEEDLES $ 5. 45 PER BALE Special 99 99 $ 44 44 PER GALLON REDUCED REDUCED $4,499 $4,499 $4,799 $4,799 WE HAVE SEVERAL WE HAVE SEVERAL MORE MOWERS TO MORE MOWERS TO CHOOSE FROM! CHOOSE FROM! 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