PAW PAW – The streets of Paw Paw were filled Monday afternoon, April 27, with flashing lights and school spirit as the community gathered to send its local innovators off to the world stage. A police escort of Village of Paw Paw and Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office led the students of 2Paw Robotics (Team 5462) through the heart of downtown toward Interstate-94.
According to Ben Tomlinson, President, 2Paw Robotics (Team 5462), the procession marked a triumphant departure for the team, which recently secured its first qualification for the FIRST World Championships since 2022 following a powerhouse performance at the Michigan State Championships at Saginaw Valley State University.
“Qualifying for the world stage is no small feat. The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a massive international circuit, with nearly 4,000 teams competing worldwide. For 2Paw Robotics to emerge from that global pool and secure a ticket to the championships in Houston, Texas, is a testament to the students’ technical mastery and season-long dedication,” said Tomlinson.
While 2Paw Robotics was the focus of Monday’s local celebration, they are part of a widespread surge in STEM excellence across the region. Several other West Michigan teams also earned their spot at the World Championships this year, proving the area is a competitive hub for young engineers. Qualifying neighbors include teams from: Kalamazoo (2 teams), Mattawan, Hopkins, Bridgman, St. Joseph, Lakeshore, and Wayland.
“The police-led motorcade served as a final community salute to the months of technical design, programming, and troubleshooting that led these students to the world rankings.
“For the Paw Paw community, the send-off was a chance to cheer on a group of students who have spent the season proving that hard work and technical excellence can take a local team all the way to a global arena,” said Tomlinson.
