KHTS AM-1220 recently introduced a brand new segment called the Legacy Christian Academy Student of the Week, and the Santa Clarita private school’s next student to appear on KHTS to talk about her accomplishments is eighth grader Irie Cooper.

Irie, 13, received an award from school officials last month for her leadership in helping create the first-ever middle school competitive First Tech Challenge Robotics team in the Santa Clarita Valley.

“My mom signed me up for an all-girls robotics team last year, and I didn’t really want to go at first, but … that was like the best time I’ve ever had in my life,” she said. “So I just needed to start a robotics team at Legacy.”

Members of the team work together to build and design a robotic machine using elements of engineering, coding, programming, bluetooth technologies and teamwork. Then they compete against mostly high schoolers in robotics competitions both in and out of state.

Irie and her team members are coached by individuals with degrees in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, mathematics and more– all of whom work for aerospace companies like Lockheed Martin.

Related: Legacy Christian Academy Student of the Week: Mackenzie

Irie said being a part of the brand new robotics team has given her leadership skills and taught her how to work as part of a team.

“I actually want to make wearable technology, which is like building clothes that has technology that can help with health issues, and maybe measuring your heart rate or something like that,” she added.

School officials and teachers described Irie as well-rounded and articulate, and noted she is willing to take on a challenge no matter how difficult it may be.

As she nears high school, Irie hopes to attend a prestigious east coast boarding school, and has her sights set on Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut and Exeter in Massachusetts.

“I’ve been here (at Legacy) all my life, pretty much, and it’s the best time of my life” she said. “I’ve made so many friends that I’ll keep forever, and it’s really helped me prepare for high school.”

To listen to a podcast of the full interview with Legacy Christian Academy Student of the Week Irie Cooper, click here.

About Legacy Christian Academy Student of the Week:

Legacy Christian Academy, a Christian school in Valencia, chooses a different student each week to appear on KHTS AM-1220 by calling in to the radio station.

During a weekly radio show that is broadcasted throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, selected students get to talk about an academic accomplishment or school project they’re working on at the Valencia private school with KHTS AM-1220’s T. Katz.

Then, every other month, six Legacy Christian Academy Students of the Week will have the chance to come to the radio station in Old Town Newhall and sit in KHTS AM-1220’s on-air studio for a live interview.

Tune in to KHTS AM-1220 every Tuesday at 3:40 p.m. to listen to the Legacy Christian Academy Student of the Week, or listen to full podcasts on www.hometownstation.com.

Legacy Christian Academy is an award-winning private school in Santa Clarita for students grades K-8. School staff are committed to providing a comprehensive, rigorous and well-rounded college preparatory education within a Christian, family-oriented and loving environment. The Santa Clarita private school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, was voted Best Christian School in Santa Clarita in 2014 and was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2015 by the U.S. Department of Education. Legacy Christian Academy maintains a state-of-the-art 30,000-square-foot private school in Valencia.

Legacy Christian Academy

27680 Dickason Drive

Valencia, CA 91355

(661) 257-7377