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2020 SESSION

20109209D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 265
Offered March 2, 2020
Commending the Violet Blast robotics team.
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Patron-- Bell
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WHEREAS, the Violet Blast robotics team, an all-girl team representing several schools in Ashburn, has achieved success in local, regional, and international competitions; and

WHEREAS, Violet Blast robotics team competes in the FIRST LEGO® League, where teams of students between the ages of nine and 14 build and program working robots out of LEGO® bricks and tackle problem-solving challenges through research-based innovation; and

WHEREAS, the Violet Blast robotics team won the second-place award at the regional tournament in Manassas, then finished third at the state championship at James Madison University in Harrisonburg in 2018, and went on to represent the Commonwealth at the international tournament in California in May 2019; and

WHEREAS, at the international open, the Violet Blast robotics team showcased designs and a prototype for a wearable helmet that simulates artificial gravity as part of the competition’s theme, “Into Orbit”; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, the Violet Blast robotics team won another second-place award for best all-around performance and advanced to the state competition for the second consecutive year; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Violet Blast robotics team have led the way for other girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and conducted outreach events at local schools; and

WHEREAS, in addition, the Violet Blast robotics team is active in community service, most recently supporting an initiative with Habitat for Humanity that converts vacant malls and other former retail spaces into affordable housing units; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Violet Blast robotics team are Shriya Avala, Maia Brown, Mahsa Riar, and Callia Sun of Belmont Ridge Middle School; Amanda Chin of Trailside Middle School; and Holland Gentile of Newton-Lee Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, the team has succeeded through the hard work of its members, the leadership of head coach Kevin Chin and assistant coaches Michael Brown and Nick Gentile; mentorship from the LEGOnauts robotics team; and the enthusiastic support of parents, family members, and the entire Ashburn community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Violet Blast robotics team on its success at local, regional, and international events; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Violet Blast robotics team as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the team’s achievements and best wishes for the future.