a picture of the HOT robotics team

The HOT Robotics Team competed in their final competition of the season at the World Championships in Houston, Texas last week. We are so proud of them for such a great season! Congratulations to the following students:

IA West:

Ella Altsman

Jeremy Brei

Vincent Church

Colin Dagg

Charles Decoster

Anna Gilders

Jamie Gnotek

Nicholas Harkenrider

Gus Komisarz

Jessica Leicht

Nicholas Marinescu

Anoksha Panchakshari

Reuben Pena

Andreas Petre

Eddie Petre

Miles Pilgeram

Heidi Pilgeram

Ethan Rakestraw

Marina Sitto

Brooke Stec

Amelie Strickfaden

Asher Tyner

Ryan Urbance

Mitunkrishna Velmurugan

Noah Wells

Petere Willner

Aiden Zemblaku

Lakeland:

Benjamin Bishop

Stephen Grix

Levi Harvey

Micah Harvey

Nick Heinrich

Carter Leslie

Owen Senk

Maya Vivio

Evan Whipple

Milford:

Annika Biondo-Smith

Catherine Buck

Victor Buehler

Ren Earl

Nolan Field

Nathan Forman

Addison (Ace) Grosser

Full Press Release from Marina Sitto:

In the heart of Houston, Texas, from April 17 to April 20, the 2024 FIRST® Robotics World Championship reached its crescendo. Echoing the excitement of the "Crescendo" season's culmination, teams from all corners of the world gathered, united by their shared passion for innovation and competition. In this electrifying atmosphere, the Heroes of Tomorrow and their fellow competitors stood ready to showcase their ingenuity and teamwork, eager to leave a lasting impression with their extraordinary performances.

The HOT team commenced the competition in the Milstein division alongside 75 other teams. They secured victories in 4 out of 10 qualifier matches, finishing the day as the 53rd highest-ranking team. Despite encountering minor issues with the trap mechanism, the team swiftly address them, impressing the third seed alliance and leading to our selection as the second pick by Team 3539 - Byting Bulldogs. Cooperatively, they selected Team 4063 - TriKzR4Kidz for playoffs.

After an impressive performance in the semi-finals, the alliance faced unexpected challenges that prevented them from advancing to the finals. Despite this setback, the dedication, teamwork, and innovative spirit displayed by the Heroes of Tomorrow and their alliance partners left a lasting impression on all who witnessed their journey at the 2024 FIRST® Robotics World Championship.

After the intense competition, the HOT team returned home, not only with memories of their remarkable journey but also with a sense of curiosity about the past. After opening a time capsule created 25 years ago by HOT Team members from 1999, the team was able to experience a firsthand glimpse into their rich history. Inside the capsule, they discovered a treasure of artifacts, photographs, and handwritten notes, each telling a story of the team's beginnings and evolution over the years. As they reflected on their journey at the 2024 FIRST® Robotics World Championship and the discoveries from the time capsule, the HOT team felt more inspired and united than ever.