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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
Joe Tryon, President
215.675.4000
Email: tryon@hatborofed.com
www.hatborofed.com

Hatboro Federal Savings Funds Foundation's Learning Grants

Hatboro, PA—Hatboro-Horsham High School's Senior Robotics Team received an Innovative Learning Grant from the Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation, with financial support from Hatboro Federal Savings. Hatboro Federal has donated more than $200,000 to HHEF each year for the last four years, with $8,000-$10,000 allotted to the robotics program for purchasing equipment that enables them to compete nationally.
"Hatboro Federal has always been committed to ensuring that the Bucks and Eastern Montgomery County communities we serve remain healthy and strong. The financial assistance and volunteer work we provide to this school district, through the Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation classroom programs, is just one of the ways we honor this commitment," says Hatboro Federal President and CEO Joseph J. Tryon. "The robotics team activities, under the dedicated guidance of Program Advisor and District Technology Assistant Eric Zygmont, stimulate the students' natural curiosity, igniting their interest in math and physics at an early age, and helping them hone their analytical and technical skills for the future."
The Hatboro-Horsham High School Senior Robotics Team, formed in 2001, is a "For Inspiration and Recognition in Science" (FIRST) participating team, and ranked in the top 12 teams worldwide in 2009. With Hatboro Federal's funding, what began as a course-related activity evolved into a multi-grade, multi-school extra-curricular program promoting an interest in science and math in the elementary and middle schools, as well as the high schools.

During the 2010-11 school year, the team–which also serves Upper Moreland High School and is comprised of 36 students–built a 120-pound robot powered by a 12-volt motorcycle battery. The team dubbed their creation "RoadRunner," in reference to the robot's speed. Its primary function is to locate an inner tube, elevate it and place it on one of three pegs placed on an alliance wall. The team was given just six weeks to build the robot and received assistance from corporate sponsor engineers from Motorola, ON Semi-Conductor, Veridex and Lockheed Martin. The team competed against other high schools throughout the Mid-Atlantic States.

"We are so thankful for Hatboro Federal Savings' continued support for HHEF, as a corporate partner at the "Visionary" level. The bank's generosity impacts close to 5,000 students per year, enabling our foundation to award grants to deserving teachers who provide hours of educational enrichment in a variety of subjects," says HHEF Executive Director Laurie Rosard. "The funding also allows us to bring guest professionals to the schools for hands-on math and science, as well as arts and cultural programs. Past guests included Bill Nye, The Science Guy; James McLurkin, an MIT- educated swarm robotics engineer; Sweet Honey in the Rock, the African American Grammy-winning a cappella ensemble; and Jerry Greenfield, of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream."

In addition to Hatboro Federal's corporate sponsorship, Joseph Tryon serves on HHEF's advisory board and Vice President/Treasurer Linda Lynd recently joined the foundation's board of directors. Vice President/COO Connie Wood participates in many volunteer activities and annual events.

Hatboro Federal Savings, Bucks and Montgomery Counties' leading community bank, was chartered by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in February 1941, and has current assets in excess of $526 million. Headquartered at 221 S. York Road, Hatboro Federal Savings also has branch offices in Warrington, Warminster and Jamison, offering financial products and services to individuals and families.

Media Contact:
Joseph J. Tryon, Jr.
215•675•4000
Email: tryon@hatborofed.com
www.hatborofed.com

The team members and patron with "RoadRunner" are (from left): Robotics Team Advisor Eric Zygmont, Kate Denner, Amanda Piergallini, Adam Blickley and Hatboro Federal President/CEO Joseph Tryon, Jr.

Photo by Aaron Mitchell, Aaron Mitchell Photography

Robotics team members and patrons gathered to celebrate the robot's creation are (from left): Front Row: Robotics Team Advisor Eric Zygmont, Hatboro Federal President/CEO Joseph Tryon, Jr., Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation Director Laurie Rosard, Hatboro Federal Vice President/Treasurer Linda Lynd. Second Row: Connor Willison, Steven Friz, Christopher Halliday, Samuel Perry, Amanda Piergallini, Kate Denner. Third Row: Michael Ruggia, Kurt Lindhult, Adam Blickley, Phillip Hankel. Fourth Row: Zach McCurdy, Ryan Ellis, Sean Leis, Jay Shaker, Ryan McCauley.

Photo by Aaron Mitchell, Aaron Mitchell Photography

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