Working together: WAHS Robotics competes in VEX Worlds | News, Sports, Jobs

Photo provided to the Times Observer
Donald Anderson, Liam Ferry, Mason Moore, Philip Nickerson, and Lincoln Olsen, along with advisor Arthur Anderson, missing from photo Co-advisor Elizabeth Anderson

Thanks to hard work, skills, and community support, five students from the WAHS Robotics Club, members of 52575C, “I can’t pronounce that!”, had the opportunity to participate in the VEX World Championship in April 2024.

Donald Anderson, Liam Ferry, Mason Moore, Philip Nickerson, Lincoln Olsen, advisor Arthur Anderson, and co-advisor Elizabeth Anderson traveled to Texas with the team robot to compete with over 800 other teams in the largest robotics competition in the world. The event was held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas.

Liz Anderson, the co-advisor for the WAHS Robotics Team, said, “One of the best things about VEX Worlds was watching our eighth and ninth graders work together and interact with teams from all over the world, even when things weren’t going well…they aren’t just learning hard skills like designing, building, coding, and driving they are also practicing soft skills of teamwork, problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, adaptability, time management, and interpersonal skills.”

The teams were divided into 10 divisions for qualification matches and elimination bracket tournaments to determine who would advance to the finals of this season’s game, “Over Under.” 52575C competed in the Science Division, the second most difficult competitive division.

The opening ceremony included the Parade of Nations, representing 43 countries.

Their 4-6-0 record put them in 55th place out of 82 teams in the Science Division.

Lincoln Olsen, the team’s driver, said, “I feel so thankful that we were able to compete at VEX Worlds…competing made me realize what I was capable of and made me want to push myself and my team to make us better.”