HostRocket.Com and ViaTalk Contribute $20,000 to the 2006 US FIRST Robotics Team at Shenendehowa High School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Tom Nardacci, Gramercy Communications

HostRocket.Com, Inc. and ViaTalk LLC Contribute $20,000 to the
2006 US FIRST Robotics Team at Shenendehowa High School

“Total Cash Contributions to Student Organization Since 2004 is $80,000”

Clifton Park, NY (December 24, 2006) — HostRocket.Com, Inc. and ViaTalk, LLC is pleased to announce their sponsorship of the US FIRST Robotics team at Shenendehowa High School with a $20,000 donation. Since 2004, the company has contributed more than $80,000 in cash to the student organization known as ‘Team 20: The Rocketeers’.

In addition to the cash contributions, many HostRocket and ViaTalk employees have devoted a significant amount of time serving as mentors for the program throughout all four seasons. Company founders Brendan Brader and John Reyes are especially involved in the program. The two participated in the program as students at Shenendehowa High School and remain involved as mentors.

“We have been fortunate in the success of our companies and giving back to our community is important,” said Brendan Brader, CEO. “The US FIRST Robotics team provides high school students with hands on learning opportunities that they wouldn’t normally be exposed to in the classroom.”

Team 20, The Rocketeers, was created in 1992 as a part of the initial launch of the US FIRST program. FIRST, being the acronym for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology" was a robotics engineering competition founded by Dean Kaman in order to encourage teenagers in the US to become more actively interested in the fields of science and technology. The Rocketeers have become well established, attracting more and more students to join the program as well as attracting an increasing amount of attention toward the concept of robot design in the local community.

“The Rocketeers is a great way for students to learn teamwork and how to channel creative talent in a productive manner,” added John Reyes, CTO. “We are happy to play a role in giving students exposure to this national competition.”

The 2007 FIRST Robotic competition begins on January 6. The Rocketeers team will assemble for a live webcast where FIRST announces this year’s challenge. The team will meet nightly and on weekends in preparation for the contest developing strategy and robot design. The contest will take place in the end of February.

“This program is a tremendous resource for students interested in science and technology. Year after year, students who are a part of the Rocketeers team go on to excel in academics and business,” said Rose Barra, Shen’s program coordinator. “Brendan and John’s personal involvement has made a huge impact on our teams.”


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About HostRocket.Com, Inc and ViaTalk LLC
HostRocket.Com, Inc. is a privately owned, multi-million dollar, debt- free corporation located in upstate New York that provides shared web hosting services to approximately 50,000 top websites and offers broadband telephone service in all 50 states via VoIP partner ViaTalk LLC. In addition, the company serves hundreds of additional clients by providing services such as dedicated hosting, e-commerce hosting, and application hosting. To learn more about HostRocket, Inc. go to www.HostRocket.com. To learn more about ViaTalk LLC go to www.ViaTalk.com.


About FIRST
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, NH, FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With the support of many of the world’s most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Vex Challenge for high school students, the FIRST LEGO League for children 9-14 years old, and the Junior FIRST LEGO League for 6 to 9 year-olds. To learn more about FIRST go to www.usfirst.org.