``Hella's Angels'' Recognized at National Competition.

Business Editors

FLORA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2003

A 17-member team of local high school students won national honors in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) national robotics competition held recently in Houston, Texas.

The students from four area schools and their mentors from Hella Electronics Corporation in Flora finished eighth overall among nearly 300 teams competing from the United States, Canada and Brazil.

Nicknamed "Hella's Angels," the team qualified for the national event by taking first place among 54 teams from 13 states in regional competition held last month in St. Louis, Mo. The junior and senior students sponsored by Hella Electronics represented Flora High School; Cisne High School; Clay City High School in Clay City, and North Clay High School in Louisville, Ill.

The team spent six weeks conceptualizing, designing and constructing a four-wheel-drive, remote-control vehicle that can stack tubs and knock over opposing-team containers, according to C. L. Halsey, the team's coordinator and corporate contact at Hella Electronics. The team's robot used a variety of parts, including motors, bearings, lights, sensors, shafts and wiring.

"We are especially proud of the teamwork that these students demonstrated, as well as their willingness to get the job done," Halsey said. "This is the kind of teamwork that's required in a 'real world' workplace and Hella is thrilled to be a part of the experience."

"This is a program that encourages students to consider careers in the science and engineering fields," says Joe Borruso, president of Hella North America. "Companies like Hella depend on bright young minds to come up with new methods and technologies to ensure the future of our industry."

"Considering that Hella's Angels has competed for just three years, the team's success in both the regional and national competitions is remarkable. All of us at Hella are truly proud of their accomplishments."

The student members of the robotics team also are enrolled in the Hella Regional Training Academy, where they study industrial maintenance technology. Team members include Jason Harris, Jason Scott, Steve Smith and Audrey Taylor from Cisne High School; Andrew Bangert, Oliver Bangert, Cody French and Matt Frohning from Clay City High School; David Brooks, Stephen Hale and Shane Little from Flora High School, and Matt DeRouen, Neil Durham, Roger Jones, Matt Keck, Matt Kessler and Michael Tinsley from North Clay High School.

The team developed a variety of skills, including robot design, fabrication, assembly, electronics, logistics, strategic decision-making and marketing. The national competition took place April 10-12 at Houston's Reliance Stadium.

Halsey noted that this year's competition not only attracted more local student participation, but many parents and friends traveled to the regional and national competitions to cheer the team on as well.

Hella is a tier one supplier of lighting, electronic equipment, sensors and complete vehicle front-end modules to the auto industry. Hella North America and its parent company, Hella KG Hueck & Company, have 22,500 employees at more than 58 production locations in 16 countries throughout the world. Worldwide consolidated sales for Hella during the company's 2001-2002 fiscal year grew to more than $2.9 billion. Additional information about the company is available on the Internet at http://www.hellana.com or www.hella.de.