Zawistowski & Kissel Watch Robotics Students in Action
SUFFIELD– State Rep. Tami Zawistowski and state Sen. John Kissel were on hand to see the work of the Aces High robotics team recently during the Suffield Shakedown robotics scrimmage held at the high school here, with the legislators agreeing they wouldn’t be surprised to see participating students go on to become enterprising engineers, doctors, or scientists on the leading edge of new technologies and discoveries 
This was the 16th annual scrimmage, an event with a history of luring teams from other states. The competition also attracted Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, who joined Zawistowski and Kissel in offering opening remarks. Teams participating in the scrimmage accumulated points in games designed to test the effectiveness of their robots. Aces High is a First Robotics team comprised of Suffield and Windsor Locks students. The team won the national championship in 1999 and is supported by Windsor Locks-based Hamilton Sundstrand.
“One of the things I love about First Robotics is that it gives each and every one of you the opportunity to use your personal strengths – like electronics, programming, metalworking, graphic and web design, public speaking, and more – to become a valued member of a team,” Zawistowski told the students. “Each of us has different talents, and it’s working together with others that brings out the best in these talents.”
Senator Kissel, who serves the 7th State Senatorial District, said, “The robotics competition is a great opportunity to meet with some exceptionally talented young people in our area. I’m proud to say that my son Tristan was among the participants.”
Zawistowski serves the 61st House District covering Suffield, East Granby and a section of Windsor. The senatorial district represented by Kissel includes East Granby, Enfield, Somers, Suffield, Windsor Locks and sections of Granby and Windsor.