The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation:

Speaker, I am proud to tell you about a group of enterprising students who have earned the right to compete next month at an international competition in Colorado.

The Shark Tech team at Labrador Straits Academy placed second overall in a provincial competition, hosted by Marine Institute – an incredible achievement for a small school of fewer than 150 students. Competing against larger schools in the province, 10 students from L’Anse au Loup spent more than 1,200 hours designing and building a remotely operated vehicle.

This Labrador school and Mount Pearl Senior High are the two teams that will represent Canada on the world stage, competing against teams from Indonesia, California, New England, Hong Kong and other places around the globe. This is the first team from Labrador to qualify for an international robotics event, but even more remarkably, the first team to advance from a regional competition in their first year of competition.

This accomplishment is the result of the dedication and commitment of students and teachers, as well as the unfailing support of parents and community.

I ask members of this Honourable House to join me in congratulating the students from Labrador Straits Academy. As you prepare to leave your tiny corner of Labrador and put your talents up against the best in the world, we want you to know that the Big Land – and the entire province – is rooting for you.