About 80 sponsors, supporters, mentors and members of the Kinetic Knights Robotics Team (FRC Team 781) of Kincardine gathered at the Nuclear Innovation Institute’s Advanced Technology Campus, located in the Bruce Energy Centre, northwest of Tiverton, Wednesday evening, for a dinner to celebrate the 2024-25 season.
Among the major sponsors present, were Bruce Power, the Kincardine Legion, McKechnie Pharmacy, Enbridge, the Nuclear Innovation Institute, FIO Automotive Canada Corporation, the Tiverton Lions Club, and the Kincardine Record.
Following the delicious meal, catered by mentor John Adams, team captain Nathan Pollock and administration lead Carter Frook gave a presentation about the past season.
Team 781 attended the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Ontario District events in Scarborough and Windsor, and the Ontario championships in Mississauga, winning a Finalist Award at Scarborough, the FIRST Impact Award at Windsor, and the Rising All-Star Award at provincial champs.
The team qualified for the World championships in Houston, Texas, which was an amazing experience for the team members, mentors and family members who attended.
“Thank you to all our sponsors for your generous support this year,” said Nathan. “Without you, we would not have had such a successful year, especially making it to the worlds in Houston. Thanks to our mentors; without you, this program would not exist. Thanks to our parents; without you, we would not have had hot meals during our build season.
“On behalf of Team 781, I ask for your continued support as we work together to grow this team next season.”
Carter echoed those sentiments, noting this year has demonstrated the positive change that a group of high school students can make in this community.
“The FIRST Impact Award is one of the most prestigious awards in FIRST Robotics,” he said. “That blue banner and that black robot – that’s what you’re contributing to – positive change in our community.”
FRC Team 781 does a robot demonstration at the Thank You dinner, Wednesday evening
Adams said the robotics program is important because it’s not just about building a robot, but watching the team members develop many of the skills they need to be successful in life.
“These kids show up at their first robotics meeting and they’re not sure what’s going on,” he said. “Over the four years that I’ve been involved as a mentor, I’ve seen these shy, quiet kids become incredible ambassadors for our team and our community. That’s what this team does. We develop youth into amazing young people, and I’m very proud of them.”
Joel Courtney, chairman of the Kinetic Knights Robotics board of directors, thanked the mentors for their hard work and dedication to the team.
“There’s an amazing amount of time involved in this role,” he said. “Without the mentors, none of this would happen.
“Congratulations on an incredible year! At the Thank You Dinner in 2023, Mike Rencheck of Bruce Power told you that if you qualified for the worlds, Bruce Power would provide additional financial support. You set that goal and you achieved it this year, and the community rallied around you. I couldn’t be prouder of you all!”
Lead mentor David Dadson thanked everyone for attending.
He noted that the Thank You Dinner has two purposes: to thank the sponsors for their generous support, the parents and team members for participating, and the mentors for volunteering their knowledge and expertise to the program; and it’s an opportunity for the team members to meet with their sponsors and discuss this year’s robot.
The team is seeking more mentors, particularly for the build season, as well as parents and volunteers to help out with outreach events during the off-season. For more information, contact Dadson at dcdadson@live.com and check the website at www.kineticknights.org.
The evening ended with a demonstration of this year’s robot.
The Kinetic Knights do a robot demonstration at Wednesday’s Thank You Dinner
June 9, 2025
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