Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Poplar Bluff High School Robotics Club received its largest single donation to date: $1,500 from Robert Whelan Wealth Management to purchase a complete Velocity Vortex obstacle course.

The Iron Mules will use the equipment to practice to compete in the Missouri FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Tech Challenge next year. The High School will also have the opportunity to host its first qualifying meet on Saturday, Dec. 10, in the gymnasium.

“Anything that moves technology forward, I’m all for it,” said Whelan on Tuesday, Oct. 26, during a classroom visit.

The hope is for a “chain reaction” to occur once the program generates revenue from concessions while hosting qualifiers, elaborated Tonia Clark, a financial adviser for Whelan.

“We’re just doing our little part,” Clark said.

Clark’s daughter Jocelin, a junior, has been a member of the Robotics Club since last year, when the Iron Mules placed 12th in the state championship for the first time since the program was started in 2013. Jocelin approached Whelan for the sponsorship.

“Ask and you might receive,” she exclaimed.

Shown in the photo from left to right: Robotics Club Coach Kathy Miller, student Bryan Nguyen, Robert Whelan and Assistant Coach Mike Sowatzke.

Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District