Derrick Miller
DUNCAN — Plates full of spaghetti didn’t just help satisfy the hunger of Duncan residents, they helped satisfy a need for the Duncan High School Robotics Club.
The club held its third annual spaghetti lunch Tuesday in First United Methodist Church. The purpose of the fundraiser was to aid the club in raising money to help send students to competitions and to help pay for the building expenses for this school year’s robot.
Denise Clark, club advisor, said many people turned out for the lunch to help support the club and the students.
“It’s been very hectic, lots of people,” Clark said.
She said the club delivered to people, including those who placed orders at the schools. Plato Elementary, which is less than a block from the church, ordered 15 spaghetti meals.
The majority of the other schools also had teachers order spaghetti.
Clark said many businesses, regardless of size, also bought several meals for their employees. One bank ended up buying 25 spaghetti meals.
During the event, many of the club members pitched in. Eight to nine students gave up their lunch periods to work at the spaghetti lunch. A large number of students showed up to help out once the school day ended.
Wesley Taylor, club president, was one of the students to show up after school. Taylor is one of three students who has been with the club since its inception.
“It’s been one of the best parts of high school,” Taylor said.
“It’s exciting to have the hands on experience with making robots.”
He said he enjoys actually getting to build the robot, also known as a Wheeliebot. Taylor said he has also learned a lot from participating in the club.
“You learn a lot more about the motions of it. It shows you how it moves. Watching it come together is a lot of fun.”
The club will get its new project assignment and the parts for the robot Jan. 9. Each robot has to be able to compete in a game and must adhere to certain specifications.
The large number of the students participating in this year’s club took part last year.
Clark said many of the students have a desire to return, although many have graduated and a few have gone off to the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics.
— Derrick Miller is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 160, or via e-mail at derrick.miller@duncanbanner.com.
