Intermediate students became robotics rockstars in an afternoon before leaving to represent their school in a world championship.
Classmates, teachers, parents, and community leaders filled the Reeds Spring Intermediate School gym on April 26 to send students off in style to the VEX Robotics World Championship. Reeds Spring has five teams, 21 students, that will compete in Dallas, Texas from May 1-3.
The send-off celebration included proclamations from Governor Parson, Senator Eric Schmitt, and State Rep. Brad Hudson. The mayors of Branson West and Kimberling City also attended to show their support.
The VEX robotics program helps students build innovation, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving skills. Judges score competitors on teamwork, driving skills, and programming skills.
“These students took part in 60 practices, more than 500 hours,” said Coach Keith Kramer. “They also competed in seven tournaments in multiple states.”
The Reeds Spring students qualified for the world championship through a state tournament. The kids range in age from fourth grade to eighth grade.
The members of the five teams include:
– Nate Waters, Gracie Colon, Jameso Staugaard, and Nathan Dysart (6th Grade)
– Jax Ratliff, Zoey Viola, Edie Jones, and Adi Pate (5th Grade)
– Abri Climer, Wren Stever, Elliott Linegar, and Madden McFarland (5th Grade)
– Alexis Lanham, Ava Schneider Behn, Jessie Cloud, Katiri Gray, and Kiersten Kincaid (4th-5th Grade)
– Ethan McKinney, Hailey Barber, Taylor Lanham, and Will Carpenter (7th-8th Grade)
