Knox County’s academic and athletic state champions were in the spotlight at the June 18th meeting of the Knox County Board of Education.
The meeting opened up by a demonstration from Lynn Camp’s high school robotics program. Students participating in the program are no stranger to the spotlight, they have been featured in many news articles and at many events with their robot and other projects completed through the Technology Education program and after-school component. Tuesday night’s demonstration was how the robot can throw Frisbee’s at great distances using computer programming to adjust the speed. The robot is fully automated and can tilt and spin all by computer control.
The state’s top two Mars Rover teams also provided demonstrations for the Board members. Flat Lick placed first in the statewide competition followed by Lynn Camp in second place. Students designed mininature Mars Rovers using cardboard, gears, and motors. The goal of the competition was for students to remotely control the rover and pick up ping pong balls and Easter eggs. Much like NASA, the students had to view the rover via a video feed and could not be at the actual arena where the rover and balls were at.
The Board also celebrate the achievements of Knox Central’s Science Olympiad team. Melissa Evans, director of district-wide programs, provided Board members with information on the program and recognized students Clay Sprinkles and Niven Achenjang for their success at the state competition. Science Olympiad is seen as the nation’s most exciting science competition. Sprinkles and Achenjang placed third in the “Heredity” event. Achenjang also placed second individually in the “Shock Value” event.
Knox County has it’s first female first place state track winner. Cassidy Shippy, a graduate of Knox Central, placed first this spring in the 100 meter dash event at the state track meet held May 17 at the University of Louisville. Shippy also placed second in long jump, third in the 200 meter dash, and third as a member of the school’s 4×100 meter relay team. She was named to the state’s academic all-state team for her performance in the events and for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.
Other track members recognized by the Board were Haley Brown, Casey Mitchell, Jazemene Taylor who were on the 4×100 meter relay team with Shippy that placed third; Sabrina Elliott placed 16th in the 800 meter run and 18th in the 1600 meter run; and Devon Evans who placed fourth in the 300 meter hurdle and 10th in the 110 meter hurdle.
A complete summary of all recognitions and Board actions during the June 18 meeting is available in Board Notes, an electronic newsletter from the Knox County Public Schools. Photos are available for viewing and download from the KCPS Photo Gallery.