March, 1997 Central Community Debates Issue of Ebonics
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Design of Exercise Bench Advances
NEDC to National Competition
By Alexia Clarke
Central High School's engineering design team won a state competition with the creation of an exercise workbench that is functional for both paraplegics and people without disabilities. The team, led by Advisor Ms. Virginia Vecsey, earned the right to compete in the National Engineering Design Challenge in Washington, DC.
The process of designing and building the workbench was time consuming and trying, but the members of the team were willing to work. Scott Taing, a co-captain and four year member of NEDC, explained the process. "First, we began by brainstorming and looking for ideas, and then we divided into groups. The first group was responsible for manufacturing, the second for display, and the third for working on the computer."
There was some difficulty in deciding how to go about fulfilling the requirements of the task. "Everyone had their own ideas and wanted to do different things. We had to go through the process of arguing and putting our ideas together," Ali Jaffery explained.
Central has been competing in the Engineering Challenge for six years, coming up just short several times. "In previous competitions it was not my last year or my last chance to win. I was not pressured before because I knew I had another year to compete," said Co-Captain Miriam Lau.
Ms. Vescey, who has been the team's advisor for the past six years, noted the difference between the current team and previous teams. "The difference was heart. They wanted to win, not for themselves, but for someone else."
"Everyone on the team was hugging and jumping around," said Nicole Belasco. Ali Jaffery said many of his teammates had tears in their eyes.
The members of the team are looking forward to the national competition with a lot of hope and a little apprehension. "We're going in expecting to win and even if we don't, we'll still be happy because it is our first time going to the nationals," said Miriam Lau.
A majority of the leaders on the team are seniors, but Ms. Vescey is confident the younger members of the team are fully capable of carrying on and being successful. "We have an excellent captain for next year in Len Taing, and since we're State Champions, we believe we'll pick up new recruits," she said.
