Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
(April 6, 2019) Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Thomas Torrez reviews the build of an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a group of competitors in the 2019 Navy Great Lakes SeaPerch competition at Recruit Training Command. The SeaPerch program provides students with the opportunity to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum. More than 35,000 recruits train annually at the Navy's only boot camp. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Spencer Fling)

Recruit Training Command Hosts Regional SeaPerch Competition

Posted on April 11, 2019April 11, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Recruit Training Command Hosts Regional SeaPerch Competition
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Recruit Training Command Hosts Regional SeaPerch Competition

By Alan Nunn

Recruit Training Command Public Affairs

A total of 228 students representing 51 teams from 22 schools and organizations participated in the fifth annual Navy Great Lakes SeaPerch Regional Competition April 6, at the USS Indianapolis Combat Training Pool at Recruit Training Command (RTC).

The SeaPerch Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as well as robotics while building and operating an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Throughout the project, students learn engineering concepts, problem-solving, teamwork and technical applications.

These concepts are critical in developing the future of the Navy.

(April 6, 2019) Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Thomas Torrez reviews the build of an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a group of competitors in the 2019 Navy Great Lakes SeaPerch competition at Recruit Training Command. The SeaPerch program provides students with the opportunity to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum. More than 35,000 recruits train annually at the Navy's only boot camp. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Spencer Fling)
(April 6, 2019) Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Thomas Torrez reviews the build of an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a group of competitors in the 2019 Navy Great Lakes SeaPerch competition at Recruit Training Command. The SeaPerch program provides students with the opportunity to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum. More than 35,000 recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Spencer Fling)

The event commenced with opening remarks from Lt. Antoine Washington, who welcomed guests and thanked event co-hosts RTC and the National Museum of the American Sailor (NMAS). Distinguished guests included Mayor of North Chicago Leon Rockingham Jr. and Congressman Brad Schneider from Illinois’ 10th District.

Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Thomas Torrez, was among more than three dozen RTC volunteers at the event. Working at the triage table, Torrez and other Sailors assisted students with broken propellers, structural integrity and other ROV issues.

Torrez said he enjoyed interacting with the students and helping them get their ROVs back in the pool.

“That’s the future, right?” Torrez said. “Having them interested in robotics and seeing how I enjoy it? Maybe I’ll get to see them in the future in the same field making something crazy, because technology is the future for us now. Seeing this type of involvement with it is promising for our future. Seeing them smiling makes me smile.”

Torrez, who is working toward his Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer sciences, said he didn’t hesitate to volunteer following his involvement with last year’s SeaPerch event at RTC.

“I’m an electrical engineer, so everything about it interests me,” Torrez said. “That’s why I signed myself on for the triage section, so I can be hands-on with repairing the things that break down and actually keep them going. I know how frustrating it can be when you’re their age, and you’re kind of new at this, and everything’s racing at a fast pace. Having somebody there supporting you, that can get your ROV in and out, that’s what I like doing.”

The U.S. faces a shortage in STEM graduates that may result in a lack of expertise within mission-critical areas. In this backdrop, SeaPerch has grown from its infant stages at Massachusetts Institute of Technology into a national K-12 STEM Outreach Program with backing from The Office of Naval Research (ONR) and The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME). RTC recognizes our global competitiveness lies within the students who will be the scientists and engineers of the future, and strongly believes in sharing the responsibility of developing these students with the community in which they reside.

RTC SeaPerch coordinator Lt. John Blake said this regional competition would not have been possible without the volunteer Sailors.

“Our volunteers play an important role and are critical to making the event a success,” Blake said. “Volunteers from the RTC side have been involved with the overall coordination of the event and making it happen.”

Blake explained this year’s challenge drew inspiration from the events during 2018 the Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, where a group of students were trapped due to rising water levels. During the SeaPerch challenge, students were required to magnetically activate a beacon, open a trap door, recover sunken canisters, and navigate both vertically and horizontally through a series of underwater hoops.

Capt. Erik Thors, Commanding Officer of RTC, Rep. Schneider and representatives of the Navy League of the United States, Lake County, Illinois Council presented awards to the top three finishers in middle school, high school and open divisions.

“What a great event,” Thors told an audience of more than 300 before the awards presentation. “I wish they had this when I was a kid.”

Event co-sponsors RTC and NMAS thanked the Navy League of the United States, Lake County, Illinois Council; the Society of American Military Engineers, Lake Michigan Post; American Legion McKinlock Post 264, Lake Forest, Illinois and the city of North Chicago for their generous support of this year’s event.

Three teams will advance to the National SeaPerch competition: Señor Bulldogs from Carl Schurz High School, Chicago (1st place high school stock class); Flaming Marshmallows from Leyden High Schools, Franklin Park, Illinois (2nd place high school stock class); and Land Sharks from Stevenson Middle School, Melrose Park, Illinois (1st place middle school stock class).

Megan Auld, a STEM teacher at Stevenson Middle School, said her students were excited to compete at Naval Station Great Lakes.

“There’s a lot of good STEM programs out there, but not a lot of them are competition based,” Auld said. “There’s something about a competition that really gets the kids motivated by this. They’re excited about coming to this location. It’s something they’ve never seen before. Some of our families are military families, but not a lot, so the kids are excited by the opportunity.”

Boot camp is approximately eight weeks and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes physical fitness, seamanship, firearms, firefighting and shipboard damage control along with lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork and discipline. More than 35,000 recruits are training annually at RTC and begin their Navy careers.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters - October 9, 2025
  • Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations - October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” - October 8, 2025
NPV: 30
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Features, General Topics, News, Veterans, Veterans Column Tags:Great Lakes Naval Base, Illinois, Military, Navy, recruit training

Post navigation

Previous Post: Lipinski Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster U.S. Leadership in AI Research
Next Post: Best of old and new

Related Posts

  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Suburban Chicago Physician Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud Crime
  • Book cover for Roger Stone's new book "Stone's Rules" available through Amazon.com
    Roger Stone releases new book, “Stone’s Rules” Books & Films
  • 13th Ward Democratic Committeeman Michael J. Madigan and 13th Ward And. Marty Quinn. Photo courtesy of Madigan-Quinn website
    22nd District officials will name new successor to Madigan Chicago
  • Republican conservatives Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman, Committeewoman of Orland Township, and Steve Balich, Committeeman of Homer Township, welcomed attendees at a GOP rally Friday May 20, 2022 in Orland Township
    Conservative Republican candidates rally in Orland Township Cook County
  • Wolves Brandon Pirri Bobblehead
    Wolves set Feb. 2 for Brandon Pirri Bobblehead Night News
  • Hispanic American Heritage Month Sept. 15 - Oct 15 of every year. Photo courtesy of the Cicero Mexican Cultural Committee.
    Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley proclaims Sept 15 – Oct 151st Hispanic American Heritage Month Chicago

More Related Articles

Ray Hanania Ugliness in national politics won’t stop, especially against veterans Baby Boomers
Lyons Township High school Suspect arrested and charged in social media school threats Crime
Damage from stove-top fire extinguished by OFPD with assistance from fast acting neighbor with a fire extinguisher. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District Neighbor’s fast response at early stages of stove-top fire prevented major damage to home Cook County
SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview Moraine Valley to host alumni night at Chicago Fire game Education
Lyons to demolish old firehouse News
Cook County Commissioner and McCook Mayor Jeffrey Tobolski writes column criticizing District 103 Board Majority after the Illinois Attorney General ruled they violated the Open Meetings Act. Published in the Des Plaines Valley News Residents deserve answers from school officials, not a snub Blogger

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme