Pictured with their trophy are, team mentor Dale Dickkut, team R3G members Gaven Talty, Ryan Paris, Reagan Walker, Riley Walker and team mentor Natalie Kuipers.

On January 6 the members of R3G traveled to Nebraska City to participate in the First Lego League Nebraska State Qualifier Tournament. A total of 33 teams participated in Nebraska City while an additional 93 teams will be participating at other sites in Nebraska.
The teams were judged in 4 categories:  project, robot design, core values and robot game.
While the robot did not perform as planned the team made Atchison County proud in the Project and Robot Design.  R3G placed first in Core Values, a very difficult feat.  They were required to make a presentation about the Core Values and demonstrate how they used the Core Values during the previous twelve months.  Plus, they were given a challenge during judging that they were required to complete in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.  The team completed all tasks.  Following is the description of the core values and the presentation script.
The FIRST LEGO League Core Values are the cornerstones of the program. They are among the fundamental elements that distinguish FIRST LEGO League from other programs of its kind. By embracing the Core Values, participants learn that friendly competition and mutual gain are not separate goals, and that helping one another is the foundation of teamwork.
•  We are a team.
•  We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our coaches and mentors.
•  We know our coaches and mentors don’t have all the answers; we learn together.
•  We honor the spirit of friendly competition.
•  What we discover is more important than what we win.
•  We share our experiences with others.
•  We display Gracious Professionalism® and Cooperation® in everything we do.
•  We have FUN!

FIRST LEGO League presented the Core Values Award to the team that best demonstrated extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit, inspiration, exceptional partnership, and the utmost respect to its own teammates and in its support and encouragement of fellow teams.
The judges had this to say about this cohesive group:  This team exemplified throughout their time of existence during the summer when they helped teams and even this morning they assisted a team in distress.  The enthusiasm of the team members was contagious everyone seemed thrilled to belong on the team.  The Core Values Award goes to:  Team 4936, R3G.
Team mentors Dale Dickkut and Natalie Kuipers were very pleased with this year’s team.  Their creativity, problem solving, work ethic, enthusiasm and respect for each other was exemplary.  Team members were:  Gaven Talty, Ryan Paris, Reagan Walker and Riley Walker.