Bedford robotics team handling parking at Monroe County Fair
More than 30 students from the Bedford High School Robotics team are assisting with parking at the Monroe County Fair this week as a fundraiser for the club.
Coaches Danny Costlow, Renee Rymanowicz and Shelby Howell are coaching the so-called Bedford Express Team that builds its robotic sets at the former Smith Road Elementary School in Temperance. The students volunteer, along with about 15 parents, in directing vehicles where to park in the large parking lots off South Custer Road (M-50) and South Raisinville Road.
The Bedford Speed Team began handling parking at the fair in 2018. This is the second year that Bedford’s new team has worked at the fair, Costlow said. The team works in three shifts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day of the fair.
“It’s a great thing for us,” Costlow said Wednesday. “It’s a busy week. We’re usually out of here by dark.”
The program has almost 40 students enrolled in the high school team. In addition, there are about 10 eighth graders on a second team who train with the high school, he said.
“It’s not easy,” said Julie Cunningham of Lambertville, one of the parents. “It’s kind of a thankless job and a lot of hard work in the heat, but it helps us fund our robot.”
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At one time, she and her husband, Matt, and their four children worked at the fair. Two of their children – Alyssa and Olivia – graduated, but they still have two other children working – Monica, a senior, and Ethan, a freshman. Ethan has been working since third grade.
“People forget we’re out there and there’s no shade,” Julie said. “Some people are real kind, though, and offer us water or something.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Bedford robotics team handling parking at Monroe County Fair
