Staff photo / J.T. Whitehouse Kathy and John Phillips, right, attended the Wednesday Canfield Board of Education meeting to present a large donation toward the J.E.T.S. Robotics Club program. On stage are Director of Curriculum and Instruction John Vitto, left, and School Treasurer Pattie Prince.

CANFIELD — The high school JETS robotics team received a large infusion of cash at the Wednesday Board of Education meeting when Canfield residents Kathy and John Phillips donated $25,000.

“We recently moved to Canfield,” said Kathy Phillips, co-owner of Turning Point Residential Inc. “I was encouraged to join Rotary and at the first meeting, I met two teachers from the high school robotics club.”

She was impressed with what the JETS club was up to and realized how important the club and the robotics program, in general, are to the participants.

“We believe in what these kids are doing,” she said. “My husband will soon be having a robotic hip replacement. I realize how important the programs are.”

She said the donation may someday influence a student to develop a new surgical robot or robots involved in other technology areas. “Hopefully this donation will help turn out some great engineers or technicians,” she said.

The JETS Team was approved in December for three trips this year. From March 12 to 16, the team will compete at the Rocket City Regional Competition in Huntsville, Alabama. From March 20 to 22, the club will attend the Greater Pittsburgh Regional Competition, and April 3 to 8, they will attend the Buckeye Regional Competition in Cleveland.

“This is a fantastic donation,” said Canfield Superintendent Joe Knoll.

In other business, the board voted to accept Nader Atway as president for 2025 and Traci DeCapua as vice president.