About Us

[02.02.2008]

The Cheney Tech Robotics Program originated in 2001 when Engineers from Emhart Glass and one teacher from Cheney Tech coordinated an effort to improve student performance in math and science through engineering.  Bill Tice and Ray Perra, two Engineers from Emhart Glass, were familiar with U. S. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) competitions.  Ray’s children had participated in the program when they were members of Aces High.  Bill had worked with Engineers at another company that was active in the program.  Bill’s son was entering his sophomore year at Cheney Tech.  

Together they contacted Mr. Bruce Sievers, Director of Cheney Tech, to explore the possibility of organizing a team of high school students to partake in this endeavor.  The enthusiasm of the meeting and the excitement of the staff forged a solid foundation for the current team. Mr. Lynn Wooding, head of the HVAC department at Cheney Tech, forged a partnership with Ray and Bill, and the official team was formed in September of 2001, our first year of competition. In our second year, Mr. Ken Leggo, the second HVAC teacher at Cheney Tech, caught the fever and joined the team. The leadership and dedication of both Mr. Wooding and Mr. Leggo has been instrumental in growing the team to what it is today.

In 2004, Emhart was no longer able to support the Cheney Tech team.  With the help of Mr. Leggo and Mr. Wooding, the team moved to the school and new sponsors were solicited.  Ray’s two sons, Tim and Matt, happen to hold positions within Stanley Works and Pratt & Whitney respectively that enable them to make charitable contributions. Both Tim and Matt are supporters of the FIRST Robotics Program and now Pratt & Whitney and Stanley Works are our primary team sponsors.

Mr. Leggo and Mr. Wooding share co-leadership of the team. Ray Perra and his wife Debby have remained as senior mentors. Mr. Leggo’s wife Debbie Leggo has been a key mentor since 2002. Bill Tice moved on to another team, Aces High, which is associated with his current employer. There are other adult mentors, too numerous to mention, that have contributed so much to the team over the years.

The commitment of Mr. Wooding and Mr. Leggo, the adult mentors, the engineers from the companies we associate with, and the parents of the students, have all helped the Cheney Tech Techno Wizards grow stronger every year.

 

Awards:[02.02.2008]

2008 Philadelphia Regional finalists

2007 CT Judges' Award

2007 ON DaimlerChrysler Team Spirit

2002 PA Rookie All-Star

 

Events We've been to:[02.03.2008]

2008 Florida Regional (3/13/2008 - 3/15/2008)

2008 Philadelphia Regional (3/27/2008 - 3/29/2008)

2007 UTC Connecticut Regional (3/15/2007 - 3/17/2007)

2007 Greater Toronto Regional (3/29/2007 - 3/31/2007)

2006 UTC New England Regional (3/9/2006 - 3/11/2006)

2006 The Championship Event (4/27/2006 - 4/29/2006)

2005 UTC New England Regional (3/10/2005 - 3/12/2005)

2005 Philadelphia Regional (3/24/2005 - 3/26/2005)

2004 Philadelphia Regional (3/25/2004 - 3/27/2004)

2004 SBPLI Long Island Regional (3/18/2004 - 3/20/2004)

2003 UTC New England Regional (3/13/2003 - 3/15/2003)

2003 The Championship Event (4/10/2003 - 4/12/2003)

2002 UTC New England Regional (4/4/2002 - 4/6/2002)

2002 Philadelphia Alliance Regional (3/21/2002 - 3/23/2002)