NHS Robotics club holds Mario Kart tournament fundraiser

The Iowa Speedway might bill itself as the fastest short track on the planet, but that’s not the only place to race in Newton. On Tuesday afternoon, Newton High School science teacher Eric Grabe’s classroom was the site of some of the hottest racing in town. Students competed against one another in a Mario Kart tournament, a fundraiser for the high school’s robotics club, which Grabe sponsors.

More than 20 students participated in the tournament, which saw plenty of the Nintendo game’s trademark action, as students raced to the finish line. Competing in teams of two there was little more at stake than bragging rights, but Grabe said that was more than enough to get the competitive juices flowing.

“Right now it’s just the first round, there’s a noticeable change in the atmosphere when we get down to the serious players in the final rounds,” Grabe said.

Bragging rights aren’t the only thing at stake during the tournament — the winning team also gets to take home plenty of baked goods, leftovers from the bake sale students held while the tournament was ongoing.

Teams of students paid $8 to compete in the races or $5 for a single student entry. The entry fees, combined with the proceeds from the club’s bake sale will go towards upgrading the club’s robot with new sensors. Grabe estimated the cost of the new sensors would be between $300 to $500, something the club couldn’t cover without the fundraiser.

“We want to get a new sensor system for the robot, our current system is old and has some limitations,” Grabe said.

While upgrading the club’s robot might be the primary goal of the fundraiser, Grabe said the event also functions as a recruiting tool for the club, bringing in students who share a common interest.

“We want to get other non-robotics kids in here, it kind of turns into advertising for the club,” Grabe said. “Kids who are interested in playing video games are also interested in robotics.”

NHS freshman Talbot Mastio is one of 15 students who are involved in the club. Mastio said she was pleasantly surprised to see the number of students who were willing to stay at school after classes were over.

“After doing the sign up sheet in the lunchroom I wasn’t expecting as many people to be here,” Mastio said.

Like Grabe, both Mastio and fellow NHS student Isaac Friedman agreed, holding the tournament is more than just the fundraising. They also want to use the event as a way to build interest in the club at NHS. Friedman said he doesn’t think many of his fellow students are aware of the club, something he’d like to change.

“I think this is more of an event to raise awareness for the school, not a lot of people know we exist,” Friedman said. “The club is growing, and this event really helps us raise awareness.”

While both Mastio and Friedman said they’re familiar with Mario Kart, both said they’re often too busy with after school activities and homework to find time to play. Grabe’s may have supplied the Nintendo Wii students used for Tuesday’s tournament, but he said he doesn’t have much to time play either, usually he watches his kids play. Neither student had a chance to practice before the tournament, but Mastio said she’s got a strategy she’s hoping would carry her to victory.

“My favorite character is Toadette, I really like the dynamics of her character,” Mastio said. “The smaller characters are faster because they’re lighter.”

Friedman’s strategy isn’t as complex, but he’s hoping it’ll work out. Like any good race car driver, he’s hoping to run a clean race and stay out in front of his competition. Watching out for hazards on the course won’t hurt either, he said.

“I’m just going to try not to drive off the edge,” Friedman said. “I really don’t have much of a strategy.”

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com