Navistar Honors Naperville North Robotics Team

’s Huskie Robotics team just finished a successful season. The team made it all the way to the semifinals round at regional competition this year, according to a release from Culloton Strategies. They also received the admirable Gracious Professionalism Award. This honor is awarded to the team that encourages high-quality work, provides assistance to other teams in need, and exemplifies respect, integrity, a desire to learn and to help.

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Navistar is honored to be of assistance to the outstanding individuals that comprise Huskie Robotics. Navistar’s involvement includes current professionals acting as mentors, who coach the students through various processes to create a robot that will be used for competitions.  By offering their time and knowledge, the mentors have in turn gained a renewed sense of enthusiasm by seeing the joy students have for learning about science and technology.

Dan Levenson, special tools and test equipment manager for Navistar International, said, “Seeing the students take charge, work together to overcome adversity, and then go back out onto the field to compete for another win is what truly makes FIRST worthwhile for me.”

The mentors and coaches have made a noticeable difference to the team’s success this season. They offer support and organization while allowing the students to be creative, problem solve and take ownership of each process along the way. Huskie Robotics continues to grow and improve with each passing year thanks to dedicated students, and knowledgeable mentors and coaches.

Cindy Darling, a parent of one of the students on Huskie Robotics said, “We are in debt to the big sponsors who offer financial support and their knowledge. It is because of this that the team did as well as it did this year."

Navistar held a celebratory reception Wednesday evening honoring the students’ outstanding season at their corporate headquarters in Lisle. This special gathering of students, teachers, and mentors featured season highlights and special recognition to all those who made the season possible.