Robotics team alliance places 4th

FAIRMONT – The Fairmont High School FIRST Robotics Team 2847 – Megahertz recently competed at the Great Northern Robotics Competition in Grand Forks, N.D.

In FIRST Robotics, a new game involving unique engineering challenges is revealed in early January each year. Teams then have six weeks to design, build and program a robot that can effectively play the game and compete in a 60-team regional competition.

At the competition, after nine qualifying matches, the Megahertz team was chosen to serve on alliance No. 4, captained by Team Chicken Bot Pie from Minnetonka, along with Team F.R.E.D. from Warroad.

The three-team alliance won their two quarterfinal matches to advance to the semifinals. The alliance then lost its two semifinal games to finish in fourth place in team rankings, and 10th, 11th and 12th overall out of the 60 teams participating.

Megahertz team members include Aaron Hendricks, Tyrell Zieske, Martin Mittlestadt, Blake Haugen, Tyson Geerdes, Madison Northwick, Connor Artner, Ethan Grunewald, Ameya Kamaragiri, Skyeli Malo, Parker Vetter, Gibson Berg, Alyssa Lutz, Hannah Botzet, Aiden Nelson, Noah Vetter, Aiden Thomas, Jack Hagen and Brayden Koch.

Mentors are Sam Viesselman, Chuck Haugen, Robert Malo, Logan Kahler, Cindy Viesselman, Brad Haugen, Bob Bonin and Mike Sukalski.

Mayo-Fairmont to go blue

FAIRMONT — Those driving by Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont on Monday may wonder, “Why so blue?”

The medical center will be lighted blue in recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. As part of a campaign by the Colon Cancer Coalition and the Minnesota Cancer Alliance, dozens of landmarks and buildings across the state are going blue from dusk to dawn to bring attention to the nation’s second-leading cause of cancer death and the importance of routine screening.

Colon cancer screenings detect abnormalities within the colon, such as polyps or early-stage cancers.

Because of the increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses in younger patients, the American Cancer Society now recommends that screenings begin at 45 instead of 50. Those with a family history should begin screenings 10 years prior to the age when an immediate family member was diagnosed.

In addition to the building going blue, Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont staff whose dress code allows will be encouraged to wear blue. Also, a lobby display will be set up in the clinic all month.