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Piedmont Governor’s School STAGS Robotics Team Wins MBC Challenge Cup
STAGS Finish in the Top 10 at the FIRST FRC Virginia Regional 

South Boston, VA – April 2, 2015 – Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation is pleased to announce the Piedmont Governor’s School STAGS robotics team as the champion of the inaugural MBC Challenge Cup.  The STAGS, based in Martinsville, VA, finished with a ranking of 10th out of 64 teams at the FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) Virginia Regional that took place March 18th through March 21st.  They were ranked highest of all of the MBC-sponsored robotics teams from Southern Virginia at the FRC Virginia Regional, and therefore claimed the title of 2015 MBC Challenge Cup champion.

As winners of the MBC Challenge Cup, the STAGS will receive $5,000 for their school and will gain possession of the MBC Challenge Cup trophy to be displayed at their school for one year.  These winnings will be presented during an all-expense paid trip for the team to experience real world robotics in action via private tours of the Rolls-Royce and Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) facilities in Prince George County, VA, and the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Petersburg, VA.

“Team 1262, the STAGS, is extremely excited to be named the first winner of the MBC Challenge Cup.  Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation is a tremendous supporter of FIRST Robotics teams in southern Virginia.  I can definitely say that MBC is making a huge impact on the lives of the students on Team 1262,” said Brian Pace, coach of the PGS STAGS robotics team. “The all-expense paid trip for private tours of the Rolls-Royce and Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) facilities in Prince George County, VA, and the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Petersburg, VA, will certainly provide unforgettable experiences.  Winning the MBC Challenge Cup will allow Team 1262 to see the amazing opportunities available to them.”

MBC commends all the teams they sponsor for their hard work and dedication this season.  These teams include the STAGS, the Altavista Bionic Eagles, Bluestone High Skrappy’s Zoo, the Chatham High Metal Minds, G.W. High Team Talon, and the Martinsville High MADawgs.

“We were very impressed with the hard work and creativity the teams put forth for the MBC Challenge Cup”, said Tad Deriso, President & CEO of MBC. “These robotics competitions help to build proficiency in engineering, project management and teamwork which helps promote our economic development and skilled workforce capabilities in Southern Virginia.”

MBC has invested more than $136,000 for robotics programs since 2012 to help meet the workforce demands of current and future companies in the region.  STEM education is major facet that companies seek when deciding on a location for their operations, and as such, is important for the growth of economies.

About Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation

Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC) is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization, committed to providing economic development leadership to Southern Virginia. MBC promotes economic development in Southern Virginia through the operation of a successful advanced open access fiber optic network, providing wholesale telecommunications transport services, colocation and tower leasing.  Since its inception in 2004 and by offering a state-of-the art fiber optic network, MBC has supported the recruitment of major investments including data centers, call center/operations centers, advanced manufacturing, research and development, and bio-tech industries. For more information, visit www.mbc-va.com.