President Obama honors South Mississippi robotics team - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) - A robotics program at Gulfport High has caught the attention of the White House. Team Fusion recently received a letter from President Barack Obama. The letter congratulated the team for its successful program and for reflecting the importance of STEM education. The students said they received recognition because they put on a robotics demonstration at a school dedication ceremony last fall.

A representative from the General Services Administration was at the event and he got a chance to drive the robot.

"It was a really big deal to us," said Gulfport High School senior Stevie Kanter. "Because it really made us feel good that the president would take the time to write a letter telling us he really appreciated our story and how much it impacted STEM. It really lifts our spirits and lets us know that we have the president's support."

Last year, TEAM Fusion won the state championship in the FIRST Technology Challenge and captured top honors in the FIRST Regional Robotics Competition.

The team is made up of students from Gulfport, Hancock County and Long Beach High Schools.

Copyright 2015 WLOX. All rights reserved.