One month after the Port Townsend Sea Dragons underwater robotics team won second place in the Ranger Class at the 2018 Pacific Northwest Regional MATE ROV Competition, they are returning to Federal Way for the International Competition June 21-23, but they need some support to get there.

The Port Townsend Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Club is made up of 12 students from five schools, and by placing second May 12 in the Marine Advanced Technology Education Remotely Operated Vehicle competition for the Pacific Northwest region, they qualified for the International MATE ROV Competition at the Weyerhauser King County Aquatic Center.

“In the nautical history of Port Townsend, this is the first time one of our teams has ever qualified for this event,” said Ella Ashford, an incoming high school senior who was recently recognized for her work as a FIRST Robotics Dean’s List finalist, and is continuing to expand her leadership role in international STEM networking.

As the CEO of the Sea Dragons company, Ashford felt obligated to help raise funds for herself and her teammates, so she hopes anyone who might be attending the International Competition June 21-23 might be able to join her “Party at the Point” June 22 at Dash Point State Park, only 10 minutes from the competition venue in Federal Way.

“We’ve already met with Port Townsend Mayor Deborah Stinson and the Team Jefferson Economic Development Council to put together a great opportunity for the MATE ROV competition’s 65 teams, from 20 states and 19 countries, to go to a local state park, have some pizza, hang out and get to know each other,” Ashford said.

Ashford reported the Sea Dragons have upgraded their plywood ROV by partnering with Peninsula College and the Composite Recycling Technology Center facility of Port Angeles.

“The resulting new carbon fiber ROV is state-of-the-art and completely made of recycled materials,” Ashford said.

Ashford recognizes this call to action might qualify as a bit of a last-minute request, but she’d be very grateful for any assistance she could receive, not just for her own team, but for all the teams who will benefit from the June 22 pizza party.

To contribute or learn more, log onto www.gofundme.com/party-at-the-point.