With the RUSH Regatta approaching fast, students are “RUSHing out of time” to get their boats done before their final boat presentations this Friday.
‘This Friday is the day of truth,? said Kyle Hughes, Clarkston High teacher and team advisor. ‘Did they do it, or did the ‘lazy? summer days get the best of them??
As of last Friday some were still behind in their project, while others had forged ahead.
Michael Schreiber and his partner Josh Nelson have worked hard transforming their computer sketch drawing into a workable piece of art.
‘We’ve been building this week, we made pontoons and we made cones for them and wrapped them in cardboard. We tested out waterproofing and that seemed to work pretty well with just layers of paint,? said Schreiber. ‘We sat on some of the cardboard tubes to see how much they could hold and it easily held two of us, which is like 270 pounds. It should be fine as far as floating, but I am more worried about pedaling.?
This Saturday morning (Aug 23) judging and preparations will take place from 11:15 -12:00 at Deer Lake Beach.
‘Each member of Team RUSH pays $500 for dues,? said Hughes. ‘Whoever wins the ‘Engineering Excellence? award will either receive $50 in cash or $100 towards dues. Whoever wins the whole regatta will receive $100 in cash or $150 towards dues.?
Races will start promptly at noon rain or shine. If there is lightening the race will either be postponed for later in the day or run the races on Sunday, noted Hughes.
‘I certainly hope they waterproofed the inside of their boats as well – in case it rains,? she said. ‘I would hate to see them sink from the inside out.?