WHEREAS, the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School Mech Tech Dragons won numerous awards during the 2022–2023 academic year and have made many contributions to their fellow young people in the Richmond community; and

WHEREAS, the Mech Tech Dragons is a student-led robotics team that promotes interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on learning projects, competitions, and mentorship; and

WHEREAS, in 2022–2023, the Mech Tech Dragons competed in the For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition for its 24th year; and

WHEREAS, the Mech Tech Dragons won the Quality Award at the Chesapeake District Blacksburg FIRST Event, the Autonomous Award at the Chesapeake District Glen Allen FIRST Event, a Woodie Flowers Finalist Award at the Chesapeake District FIRST Championships, and recognition as one of the top 16 alliances at the FIRST World Championship; and

WHEREAS, the Mech Tech Dragons also received the First Place Alliance award and the Team Captain award at Rumble in the Roads, an off-season FIRST event held in Newport News; and

WHEREAS, over the course of the 2022–2023 school year, the Mech Tech Dragons hosted 29 free events for Richmond students to learn more about STEM fields, mentored two elementary school robotics teams, and logged more than 730 hours as volunteer mentors in the FIRST Lego League; and

WHEREAS, the Mech Tech Dragons have also advocated for STEM opportunities and enhanced STEM education at the local, state, and national levels; and

WHEREAS, since 2020, the Mech Tech Dragons have organized the Virginia Advocacy Conference, which features guest speakers and brings together teams from throughout the region to discuss STEM education and develop support for FIRST; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Maggie L. Walker Governor's School Mech Tech Dragons hereby be commended for its accomplishments during the 2022–2023 academic year; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Maggie L. Walker Governor's School Mech Tech Dragons as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the team's achievements in robotics and youth leadership development.