Sturgis High School’s robotics team received the Rising All-Star Award at the recent FIRST district robotics competition. The team is in its first year.
Coaches are Khanya Sigwela and Xandra Duelge.
Present at the event:
Drive team: Krys Johnson (captain), Alina Chen, Emmalyn Farber and Reagan Davis-Hamlin (stand-by)
Technician and media: Alyssa Farber
Duelge said the team’s first competition of the season was an opportunity to demonstrate what students have learned.
“We have a small team and members have been assisting with all roles from manufacturing, building, to competing,” Duelge said. “Our drive team members were clearly overwhelmed by the lingo and game mechanics during their first couple matches, but once they understood, they took the lead in strategy conversations with other teams with which they partnered.”
Sigwela said it has been a pleasure to kickstart the robotics program robotics program and work with such dedicated students.
“As a coach, I enjoyed passing on the skills I’ve learned and guiding them as they built and developed their robot,” Sigwela said. “Through the ups and downs, their perseverance stood out, and it’s incredible to see them recognized as Best Newcomers, an achievement they truly earned.”
Student Alyssa Farber also provided observations.
“During this competition, we learned how to work together as a team under competitive circumstances. I enjoyed learning about other team robots and how they functioned, created and other things we could do to improve. I am excited for the next upcoming competition in Battle Creek.”
Recognition by FIRST, acronym of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, marks innovation, dedication and team spirit.
The team operated on grant funding for new teams this academic year, and will seek community support to continue the program into next year.
