Hillsboro High School Robotics team excels at state competition

By Tracey Staggs
Hillsboro High School
Technology Teacher
Robotics Coach
Work-Based Learning 

Hillsboro High School Robotics team competed at the Ohio VEX robotics State Championship recently. High School team 45133J, the Chicken Tender Defenders, were division winners and state runners-up, earning a spot at the VEX Worlds competition in Dallas, Texas. 

45133J team members are Logan Barton, Riley Gallimore, Conner Kelch and Allie Roush. At the State competition they were in the Nighthawk Division, ranked No. 1 in Qualifications, and won their Division. 

They were 8-0 in qualifying; and then in the semi-finals match, they tied 33-33 and had to replay the match. They won that match, which secured their spot at the Worlds Competition and then played the finals match and were defeated by a tough alliance of Brecksville-Broadview Heights robotics teams. There were 103 high school robotics teams competing at the state event.

The VEX Worlds Robotics Competition helps students develop STEM, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through hands-on robotics challenges. The students brainstorm, build, program, test and document their progress for their robots throughout the season. There are more than 14,000 teams from 53 countries playing in over 1300 tournaments this season in MS/HS VEX Robotics V5. Competing as runners-up in Ohio and earning a spot at VEX Worlds is an incredible achievement for this team. Their hard work and dedication throughout the season have truly paid off.

Team 45133J were tournament champions at the Washington Courthouse Competition and won the Design Award at that competition as well. According to the REC foundations guidelines, "The Design Award recognizes an organized and professional approach to the Engineering Design Process, project and time management, and team organization. The Design Award recognizes a team's ability to document and explain their Engineering Design Process via an Engineering Notebook and Team Interview." Throughout the season, they consistently ranked among the top teams and competed with excellence.

The Worlds Competition will take place in Dallas, Texas, from May 6-8, and the team must fundraise to make the trip. While the costs are significant, the experience is incredibly valuable and rewarding. If you would like to help by donating or support their adventure in any way, please reach out to Tracey Staggs, Hillsboro High School at (937) 393-3485 or email traceystaggs@hillsboro-indians.org.