Chaffee technology students to compete Thursday at state level

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- It looked like a creation from the world of "Alice in Wonderland."

Chaffee High School senior Chelsie Welker stood in front of her woodworking project, a red oak grandfather clock of curving and slanting lines. The clock's face featured the painting of an angry-looking face.

"This year I knew I wanted to do something crazy," she said.

During a fair held at the school Wednesday, industrial technology students capped off their school year successes, which included the first regional title in the FIRST Robotics Competition. Students also recently won their fourth-straight best school award during the Technology Education Association of Missouri's district competition at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.

Welker and other students put their projects on display for community members during the fair, which included work on robots, photography, computer-aided design and woodworking.

Last month, 10 students traveled to Atlanta to compete in the national robotics tournament. During the competition, two Chaffee teams, Furious George and Nothin' But Initials, went up against 100 teams from across the world. They ended the day in fifth and 13th place respectively.

Students from across the region competed in the first regional robotics competition at Southeast Missouri State University in March. The WIRED initiative of the Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri provided startup funding so schools could buy robotics equipment.

Twenty-two Chaffee students will now pack up their projects to participate in the Technology Education Association of Missouri's state competition Thursday at Lake of the Ozarks.

Amber Hawkins will take four out of nine projects to state. She said she tied the school record for most projects.

"I wanted to go all-out my senior year," she said.

This year Jacob Atkinson added a bed to his family's furniture collection, which includes a homemade table and dresser.

"Pretty much our house is full of furniture," he said.

Atkinson will take the cherrywood bed to the state competition. The project features intricate woodturning details.

The following students qualified to advance to state competition during the Three Rivers event: Amber Hawkins, Emily Hinton, Alex Davie, Blake Kiefer, Mitchell Dirnberger, Brennan Robinson, Andy Terhune, Houston Sexton, Logan Lands, Stephanie Koch, Chelsie Welker, Austin Fodge, Angel Whitworth, Tyler Musgrave, Sarah Ishmael, Jeanette Spies, Mike Schmitt, Sarah Sigman, Skyler Simpson, Darren Lee, Jacob Atkinson and members of the robotics team.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

517 W. Yoakum Ave. Chaffee, MO