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NEWTON, N.C. -- The Mechanical Minds, a remarkable team of dedicated students representing high schools from across Catawba County, have made an extraordinary leap forward in the world of robotics by qualifying for the prestigious World FIRST Robotics Competition, set to take place in Houston, Texas, from April 17 to 20, 2024.

After showcasing their skills and determination in two regional events at UNC-A and Palisades High School in Charlotte, the team gathered enough Ranking Points to secure a spot in the State FIRST Robotics Competition held at ECU from April 5th to 7th. Competing against 40 teams, the Mechanical Minds demonstrated exceptional prowess and strategic thinking, finishing the qualifying matches ranked 13th. Notably, only the top 8 teams initially moved forward to form alliances for the subsequent rounds.

In a surprising turn of events during the competition, Alliance One, the top alliance, chose the Mechanical Minds to join their team. Alliance One went on to claim the championship, propelling the Mechanical Minds and their partners into the World Championships, surpassing the team's initial goal and expectations.

The journey to the world stage in Houston represents not only an opportunity for the team to compete at an international level but also a significant financial undertaking. Over $50,000 is needed to support the 26 students and mentors making the trip, underscoring the importance of community and district support to make this dream a reality.

The Mechanical Minds team comprises a diverse and talented group of students, each bringing unique strengths to the team:

• Camden A. (10th Grade, SSHS)
• Kaitlyn B. (11th Grade, SSHS)
• Taran C. (10th Grade, SSHS)
• Powell D. (11th Grade, SSHS)
• Dayten F. (10th Grade, SSHS)
• Sage F. (10th Grade, Challenger)
• Josiah F. (11th Grade, Discovery)
• David F. (11th Grade, SSHS)
• Oliver F. (9th Grade, SSHS)
• Wendy G.-L. (10th Grade, SSHS)
• Brennan G. (9th Grade, SSHS)
• Jared H. (9th Grade, Bunker Hill)
• Austin L. (10th Grade, FTF)
• Noah L. (10th Grade, SSHS)
• Elijah M. (12th Grade, Maiden)
• Colin M. (9th Grade, SSHS)
• Maria N. (11th Grade, SSHS)
• Lucas P. (10th Grade, Hickory)
• Harper P. (10th Grade, SSHS)
• Kara R. (10th Grade, SSHS)
• Rebecca R.-M. (12th Grade, SSHS)
• Catherine S. (10th Grade, Challenger)
• Jacob S. (12th Grade, SSHS)
• Jaylynn S. (9th Grade, SSHS)
• Lance T. (9th Grade, SSHS)
• Lexie T. (9th Grade, SSHS)
• Kirk W. (12th Grade, Discovery)

As the Mechanical Minds prepare for their journey to the World Championships, we call upon the community, local businesses, and all stakeholders to support these inspiring young minds. Their success is a testament to the power of STEM education and the boundless potential of our students when they are empowered to pursue their passions.

For information on how to support the Mechanical Minds' journey to the World Championships, please contact their advisor, [email protected]

About FIRST Robotics Competition - FIRST Robotics Competition is an internationally recognized robotics competition that challenges students to design, build, and compete with robots, fostering skills in engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving. It brings together young minds from around the globe in a celebration of innovation and robotics education.

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