Dear editor:

In April our FIRST robotics team, Excel #2474, qualified to compete in both Michigan’s state championship at Eastern Michigan University and the national championship in St. Louis, Mo. Because of the generosity of many local businesses and our community, we were able to compete in both events.

We would like to thank the following businesses for their support: AEP, Whirlpool Corporation, Delta Machining, Inc., Eagle Technologies, Delta Industrial Valve, Inc., Chemical Bank, National Standard, Innovative Machining, State Farm-Scott Stewart, Vail Rubber Works, Inc., TCU and TCU Insurance, Pinnacle-Mishawaka, K-O Products, Vickers Engineering, J.C. Penney and Mach Mold.

We are also thankful to the Niles community for supporting our fundraising efforts and for their enthusiasm for our team.

Finally, we are very grateful to Lake Michigan College at Bertrand Crossing for allowing us to use their facility to meet and build our robots for the past five years.

Sincerely,

Team Excel, #2474