T3 Students Are College Bound
Ortonville, Michigan, July 7, 2015 – The Truck Town Thunder robotics team has had tremendous success over the years but the most important success comes in the achievements of their graduating seniors. FIRST Robotics globally strives to prepare student for a competitive and successful career. FIRST Robotics offers over 22 million dollars in scholarships as well as providing mentorship by professionals in the field students are looking to hire into. Over the past 10 years, Truck Town Thunder students have received over 1 million dollars in scholarships to numerous universities. Truck Town Thunder seniors have gone to colleges all over the State of Michigan and a few have gone out of state. Here is a breakdown of the number of students who have attended colleges. Every student has gone to these colleges on scholarship.
| Kettering University | 15 |
| Michigan Tech | 8 |
| Oakland University | 8 |
| Michigan State | 3 |
| University of Michigan | 3 |
| Grand Valley State University | 3 |
| Ferris State University | 3 |
| Community College | 2 |
| Baker College | 2 |
| Lawrence Tech | 1 |
| University of Mississippi | 1 |
| Eastern Michigan University | 1 |
| Northwestern College | 1 |
| Auburn University | 1 |
| Central Michigan University | 1 |
| Columbia University | 1 |
| Bradley University | 1 |
| Northern Michigan | 1 |
| Columbia University | 1 |
Over the past 10 years, 57 students have graduated from the team. The largest percentage of students attended Kettering University at 26%. Both Michigan Technology University and Oakland University tied with 13%. The tremendous success of the program is attributed to the culture FIRST Robotics brings to schools in their individual communities. The FIRST mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. There are teams in more than half of the high schools in Michigan and the opportunities are endless.
The graduating class of 2015 is the largest Truck Town Thunder has ever sent off to college with 11 seniors. They plan to attend the following colleges, University of Michigan, Oakland University, Ferris State University, Michigan Technological University, Kettering University, Grand Valley State University, Oakland Community College and receiving $278,595 in college scholarships.
2015 Team Photo
Front Row (Left to right) Andrea Ritenburgh, Zach Karner(Sr. OCC), Sophia Bogacz, Nick Dixon, Sarah Chartier (Sr, UM), Jessalyn Gonzalez (Sr. GVSU), Eric Braun, Levi Bischer, James Michnievicz
Second Row (Left to right) Julian Leal, Ben Eckert, Breeana Atherton, Damiano Liviero (Sr. OU), Justin Ritenburgh (Sr. UM), Robert Sullivan (Sr. MTU), James Wallace (Sr. OU), Marissa Stewart
Third Row (Left to right) Matt Flickinger, Joe Leal, Harley Pawley, Nick Pittiglio, Jason Walker (Sr. FSU), Erik Boyle (Sr. Columbia Univ), Jacob Bischer (Sr. Kettering), Alyssa Stewart (Sr. OU)
Back Row (Left to right) Josh Eckert, Kyle Schultz, Cole Hawkins, Conrad Allgaier, Tanner Reives, Matt Babb, Hunter Shulze, Beau Shulze
Truck Town Thunder is currently accepting applications for the 2015-2016 school year. This is an excellent program to be involved in to learn about Leadership, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Service, Business, and Technology applying skills learned in Mathematics, Science, Language Arts and many other subjects. Come be a part of the one of the top robotics programs in the State of Michigan. Students on Truck Town Thunder will learn to work in a competitive environment striving to be the best and preparing themselves for the workforce of their generation. For more information or if you have any questions about the program contact Andrew Spiece, aspiece@gmail.com.