IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2012

Contact: Bonnie Reidy
      Chief Communications Officer
       704-866-6118
       704-867-1711, Evenings and Weekends
       e-mail: breidy@gaston.k12.nc.us

Gastonia, N.C. - Catawba Heights Elementary School's robotics team, the Berry Bots, won the western regional championship held Saturday in Hickory. The students competed against 37 other elementary and middle schools to claim regional honors.

Catawba Heights school counselor Page Medlin, and Stacy Zannis, fourth grade teacher, served as coaches for the team. Team members are listed below.

Fourth Grade:

Shaylynn Adams
Melody Dennison
Matthew O'Dell
Denzil Xavier

Fifth Grade:

Sam Green
Jessica Medlin
Thomas Paluszak
LeAnn Trinh

Superintendent L. Reeves McGlohon said, "This is an outstanding accomplishment. We are extremely proud of Catawba Heights and all Gaston County Schools teams that competed this weekend."

Other Gaston County Schools winners were:

The Bot Masters from Pinewood Elementary. First place for Teamwork.
The Robo Roar from Tryon Elementary. First place for Robot Performance.
The Robo Masters from H.H. Beam Elementary. Second place for Teamwork.