Robotics team wins FIRST Championship
By Hanna Kimball
The team with their robot, Brazin’, after winning. All photos by FRC Team 1676.
The Pascack Pi-oneers, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 1676, were victorious this year at the FIRST World Championship.
At the Championship, teams competed in six divisions. The winners of these six divisions moved on to the next round on the Einstein Field. This year was the first time Team 1676 qualified to compete on the Einstein field, making it also their first-ever World Championship win.
This year, the World Championship was split between two locations, St. Louis and Houston, due to the large amount of teams. The Pi-oneers now qualify to compete in New Hampshire in July against the winners of the Houston World Championship. It also qualifies the Pi-oneers to compete in next year’s championship that will be held in Detroit, MI.
The Pi-oneers couldn’t win alone, however. They were joined by their alliance members FRC Teams 254, 2767 and 862.
Robot driver and Pascack Hills junior Evan Choe said, “Being a World Champion seemed like such a far fetched idea at the beginning of the season, that actually winning just feels like a dream. It’s a blessing to be recognized as one of the best teams in FIRST and to see everyone’s hard work turn into something spectacular.”
While becoming World Champions exceeded all team members’ expectations, the Pi-oneers also walked away winning the Daly/Archimedes Entrepreneurship Award for their Business Plan and being recognized for having the best safety program in the Daly Division.
The Pi-oneers were welcomed home by a cheering crowd, showing the incredible support from parents, the school administration, faculty and students.
Senior and Pi-oneer Nicole Mofrad said, “I saw everyone and immediately started crying. It was incredible seeing all the support we have from our family, friends and community.”
Not only did the team feel the love as they stepped off the 20 hour bus ride, but they were congratulated by many on social media.
A highlight video created by FIRST of the championship can be found here.
Hanna is a senior, and this is her fourth and final year working for The Trailblazer. An editor-in-chief last year, Hanna has worked through the ranks to become Managing Editor, and has taught a few on her way up. Although she’s sad to see it go, she’s ready to work hard this year.
