Plum students honored for robotics, bowling achievements

Plum Borough School District recognized its robotics and bowling programs during a board meeting, highlighting competition results and student accomplishments.

Robotics sponsor Bob Miller described the district’s combat-robotics program and said it operates through Bots IQ, a program linked to workforce-training goals. Miller credited alumni mentors and students for recent success: Plum placed first and second in recent tournaments, earned top combined rankings out of 68 programs, and won state-level TSA awards. He circulated a student-produced documentation package that he described as “100% high school work.”

At the meeting, an announcer said Plum earned the best-sportsmanship award in both 2025 and 2026, praising seniors for leadership and peer mentoring. Miller said the program teaches technical skills — from CNC exposure to assembly — and “takes an intense amount of teamwork, leadership, and trust.”

The board also recognized the bowling teams. Ryan Kesterwood and coach Daryl Pillick summarized the season: the girls’ team finished third at states and went undefeated in their league; the boys won the Bearcat tournament and the WPIBL championship. Pillick listed senior players and regional qualifiers and thanked boosters for fundraising support.

Several seniors came forward to announce post‑graduation plans, including attendance at West Virginia University, Robert Morris University, Haverford College, the U.S. Air Force and other institutions.

The recognitions drew repeated praise from board members and the student representative, who called the sportsmanship award and team accomplishments “really impressive” and said they reflect student character and community support.

The recognitions segment concluded with a group photo request and the meeting moved on to other agenda items.