Clinton, TN High School robotics team advances to the world championship in Houston, TX

CLINTON, Tenn. (WATE) — The Clinton High School RoboDragons are heading to Houston, Texas. The school’s robotics team earned its first trip to the FIRST World Championship. 

“It just seemed impossible that we could get to go and compete with some of the greatest robots I’ve, like, ever seen,” said Leah Thelen, a freshman team member. 

The group spent weeks designing and building a sophisticated robot that could pick up foam rings and launch them into a target structure with an end-of-game challenge that required the robot to climb. 

When it was time to name their robot, they landed on Robo Baggins. 

“Since we have a ring, we can use a Lord of the Rings theme and Frodo Baggins is the ring bearer for “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and we said Robo Baggins fits just a little too well,” said Lead Mentor Jimmy Davis. 

Davis said this year’s student leadership and drive made them stand out at regionals. 

“They are self-learners, self-starters they will go out and find what it is that we don’t know so they can add it to whatever it is we need,” said Davis. 

“I’ve been learning about how to program in a new language. I do not think I ever used an electric drill before I came here so that was fun. I’m learning about design and how to work in a team,” said Thelen. 

In Texas, the RoboDragons will compete against a large number of national and international teams. 

“To play with the big boys, you have to go against the big boys sometimes and that will actually lead us into a much better footing for the future,” said Davis. 

Davis has high hopes for the group but is proud of what they’ve already accomplished. 

“If we win, I’ll be elated, if we don’t, I’m elated that we are there, and these kids need to know that too. They need to be excited they got there,” said Davis. 

The RoboDragons will be competing in Houston from April 17-20.