Elementary students Jekeyvien Williams and De-Messia Holloway brought back ribbons from their first robotics competition that was held in Morton, MS Nov. 8^th.

Instructor Antoinette Young with the assistance of founder of MS Robotics, Inc. Ray Holt worked with students, who met at the Jefferson Davis Outreach Ministry every Tuesday night, to understand the mechanics and math of constructing workable robots. The program began in September of 2013 for students in 4^th-8^th grades and this is the first competition. Some 50 or more students competed in grade divided categories of “Maze Madness” and “Race to the End.”

Four scorekeepers judged the competition and the winners of each section had to compete against other section winners until there was an overall winner. Williams and Holloway, both 4^th graders, brought home ribbons in the “Maze Madness” category. Students who participated were from Mt. Olive Ministries in Mt. Olive, MS, Alpha & Omega Academy in Morton, MS, Carey Christian Center in Carey, MS and Jefferson Davis Outreach Ministries in Prentiss.

JDC high school students are offered robotics classes at the county’s Career Center (Vo-tech). These elementary classes prepare students for these future high school classes helping growth in proficiency in solving math problems, measurements and programming and presentation.

“The JDOM program is enrolled as a part of Ray Holt’s organization and he will oversee our program monthly,” stated JDOM ministry director Bettye Drummond. “The children will be preparing for a 2^nd competition to be held in May.”

Drummond states there is room for a few more children in the program and encourages those who are really interested in robotics to join the class.