SC New York News

State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning), and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R-C, Big Flats) honored the Southern Tier robotics team, Team TARDIS 5356, for their achievements at the New York Excelsior Regional Championship and the FIRST World Festival earlier this year.

Team TARDIS, founded in 2011, is one of three high school teams at Corning Robotics, sponsored by Corning Inc. The team comprises 14 members from Corning-Painted Post and Horseheads high schools.

In March, Team TARDIS received the Inspire Award at the New York Excelsior Region Championship held at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. The award recognizes excellence in robot design, innovation, programming, performance, and STEM outreach.

This victory secured Team TARDIS a spot at the FIRST World Festival in Houston from April 17-20. Competing among 224 teams from across the United States and international entries, they finished ranked No. 16.

O’Mara and Palmesano presented an official Legislative Resolution (J2485/K2178) to honor the team's success. The resolution was approved by both the state Senate and Assembly in May.

In a joint statement, O’Mara, Palmesano, and Friend said: “Team TARDIS represents some of our best and brightest students from the Southern Tier who have had amazing success throughout the past year. Their commitment, creativity, enthusiasm, expertise, and vision stood out this year in prestigious competitions against local, state, national, and international teams."

Team TARDIS Assistant Coach Mike Simons commented on their achievements: “All of us coaches and parents couldn't be more proud of the work Team TARDIS did this season. From the start, they set a goal qualifying for the championship in Texas... They built an incredible robot that competed with the very best our Excelsior region has to offer...”

The resolution acknowledges individual team members: Adam Perry, Thang Tran, Thai Tran, Isaac Moyer, Luke McNaughton, Eavan Qin, Victor Roussey, Dean Simons; Nicole Miller; Tristan Lint; Graham Simons; Michael McNaughton; Seojun Cho; Daphne Karacay.

Additionally recognized was Paul Dohn for his dedication to STEM education as a founding member of Team TARDIS. Dohn was a second-place global finalist for the Compass Award honoring outstanding coaches and mentors worldwide.

The resolution reads: “Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose... these students now stand honorably... understanding and appreciating the caring counsel and support provided by teachers; mentors; parents.”