Students from three Hemet Unified Schools participated in the 14th annual Metropolitan Water District Solar Cup competition. Thirty-eight teams across southern California build and race solar-powered boats in this three-day competition.
Hemet Unified’s Solar Cup co-advisor, Sean Matthews, said this year’s team is the youngest group of students he has worked with. Matthews stated, “They were by far the most enthusiastic and most successful.” This year’s team scored the highest points total ever from a Hemet Unified team.
The Solar Cup team won a trophy for their public service message on water conservation. Hemet Unified’s team was also chosen to be filmed by Curiosity Quest, a television show, during the competition for their ingenuity of using basic materials, perseverance, and cohesive team environment.
Matthews said, “This program continues to be a success because of the commitment made by students and parents, site and district administration support, and community member involvement.” He thanked the students and co-advisors Anne Rizzacasa and Keri Stewart for their hard work in making this year’s Solar Cup a success!
Congratulations to this year’s team members Daniel Ramirez and Rodolfo Vazquez from West Valley High School; Corey Puentes and Alan Flores from Tahquitz High School; Isabel Olvera, Kevin Rustia, Nhutruc Do, and Nathan Do from Western Center Academy.