DAYTON, OH - The New Hartford RoboSpartans robotics team returned to New York State Sunday with a trophy from FIRST LEGO League’s (FLL) United States Open Championship at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio on May 7-9, 2009.

Team members Maysara Elazzazi, Matthew Holmes, Ryan Murray, Scott Murray and Ryan Payne were presented the Rising Star Award in recognition of the team the judges noticed and believed will soon be among the best and the brightest.

The all LEGO trophy is the 7th and final major award for the team’s 2008 Climate Connections Season. The three-day, invitation-only event hosted 59 award winning teams from around the country.

Teamwork Judges also presented the entire team with special recognition pins for their “Gracious Professionalism”. According to FLL, Gracious Professionalism is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious Professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process.