Local Middle School Robotics Team Represents At ‘Worlds’ Championship in Dallas

A team of Bangor middle school students joined leagues of other kids from the US and across the world in Dallas, Texas last week, to take part in the VEX Robotics World Championships.

Team "S.L.A.M.M.", coached by Technology Teacher Casey Murphy, consists of All Saints Catholic School students Silas Taylor, Lizzi Bergen, Alex Petley,  and McKinley Robinson-Rice. The team had competed well throughout the year at local robotics tournaments and ended up winning an Excellence Award, securing their spot at the State's competition in Portland this March.

From there, they won a spot at the  VEX Worlds  Competition and joined 488 other middle school teams and hundreds of High School teams at the event.

The middle school teams were split into divisions. S.L.A.M.M. was part of a division of 82 teams.

15 teams were selected to represent the United States in the parade of nations (which is kind of like the parade if Nations at the Olympics.). All Saints 7th grader McKinley Robinson-Rice was ultimately chosen with the honor of carrying our nation's flag during the parade.

As a group, S.L.A.M.M. managed to attain a personal best, scoring for both their driver and programming skills. With an entirely rebuilt robot (which had been deconstructed and reconstructed between the States and Worlds) the team placed in the top 3rd overall for their skills score.

While they didn't make it to the elimination rounds, this crew did manage to come in 58th in their division, and gain a great deal of experience to put towards their efforts for next year's competitions.

The teams and their families received financial support to make the trip to Dallas through special fundraisers put on by the school, and local community and religious organizations.