At Tuesday's Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Trustees meeting, the Roanoke Rapids High School KidWind team was recognized for what the school system described as a season marked by innovation, perseverance, and a remarkable achievement on the world stage.
Team members Abigail Argumedo, Sara Fender, Naja Mason, Gabe Maza, Carlos Nery, and Josiah Ausby represented Roanoke Rapids High School, Roanoke Rapids Early College and the RRGSD “with excellence as they advanced from regional and state champions to the top of the world competition.”
The team shared their project with the board of trustees, highlighting how they worked together and showcasing their solar-powered Smart Home.
The team's journey began with first-place finishes at both the regional and North Carolina KidWind competitions, earning them the opportunity to represent North Carolina at the KidWind World Championship in Madison, Wisconsin.
“Their award-winning project impressed judges through its innovative design and technical excellence,” the RRGSD said.
Students designed and wired the home's electrical system, converted solar energy into stored battery power, built the circuitry, and incorporated coding to create a fully functioning model that demonstrated the practical application of renewable energy technologies. “The project showcased exceptional engineering, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.”
Competing against some of the top student teams from around the world, the Roanoke Rapids High School team captured the KidWind World Championship title while also earning the Judge's Award, recognizing the team's innovation, presentation, and overall excellence.
Adding to this accomplishment, the team was invited to the North Carolina State Capitol by Representative Rodney Pierce, where they were recognized in the galleries of the North Carolina House of Representatives for bringing a world championship home to North Carolina and to Roanoke Rapids.
“These achievements are a testament to the countless hours of hard work, dedication, innovation, and collaboration demonstrated by each team member throughout the school year,” the RRGSD said.”Their success reflects not only their technical knowledge and creativity but also their commitment to excellence and their ability to work together to solve complex real-world challenges.”
The school system said it also extends its sincere appreciation to advisors Shannon Dickinson and Jenny Shives, “whose outstanding leadership, mentorship, and unwavering support were instrumental to the team's success. Through their dedication, encouragement, and countless hours of guidance, they helped inspire and prepare these students to compete on the world stage. Additionally, our sponsors, Eagle Home Medical, the Center for Energy Education, and Clean Choice Energy, were instrumental in making this incredible journey possible. Their generous support helped provide the resources and opportunities that allowed our students to compete on the world stage.”
