Council to Vote on Solar Cup Funding Request

The members of the team believe they have the intelligence and teamwork needed to be a contender in May's region-wide sun powered sailing competition, now all they need is a little money.

On Thursday night, the will consider a $1,000 funding request from the team, who are hoping to compete in the Municipal Water District's Solar Cup Challenge on May 18-20 at Lake Skinner in Temecula Valley. 

Sharon Bergh, the team's adviser, said she has already been promised a $2,000 donation from La Cañada High School. The team needs to raise another $2,000 to pay for the extensive list of boat parts, which range from solar panels to batteries to bilge pumps.

As a rookie team, would typically be eligible for a $4,000 sponsorship through the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. However, the team came together after that deadline, and are instead hoping to raise the funds on their own.

Since September, the solar cup team has recruited a small but dedicated team, ranging from students like Henry Li, whose future aspirations include a job in math or science to Maria Jiminez, who said she was looking for a club that would allow her some hands on experience in engineering and fabrication.

"I saw some of the fliers around the school and I wanted to see how solar panels work on something other than a house," said Jessy Baltazar, a soft-spoken sophomore. "I wanted to work on something, first hand."

The neighborhood council meets on Thursday, Jan. 19 from 7-9 p.m. at the