Students honored: robotics teams qualify for world competition; Park Crossing claims girls' basketball state title

Montgomery Public Schools recognized several student teams at the March 11 board meeting for regional and state athletic and robotics achievements.

Robotics: District staff and board members honored the first McKee Middle School team to qualify for the VEX Worlds tournament in Dallas. McKee's qualifying team was named with students Fernando Francisco, Carter Townsend and Rashad Robinson, the presenters said. The district also recognized high-school teams from Brew Tech and Park Crossing that had qualified for Worlds; Brew Tech team members listed by staff included Kevin Lewis, Chase Jones, Britt Spipher, Duncan Friedman and Elsieanna Howell (absent). Presenters said the robotics program began as a Hyundai grant, is now district-funded in its second year of district support, and includes teams at eight middle schools.

Athletics: The board welcomed the Park Crossing girls' basketball team, the 6A state champions. Coach Smith (first name not recorded on the public transcript) and assistant coaches accepted recognition; the district's athletic director representative (Gregory Ruffin) and chief operations officer (Chad Anderson) were also acknowledged. Coaches described the team's dedication, scholar‑athlete performance and the unusual stretch during the state run when the team played multiple games across consecutive days despite weather delays.

Board members and interim Superintendent Jamie Wilson offered praise and asked attendees to be photographed with the teams. The recognitions were ceremonial; no formal board action or budget motions were associated with the recognitions at the March 11 meeting.