The students of our small K-12 public district—one that is not abundantly resourced—have brought home a monumental victory, proving that passion and perseverance outweigh budget size. Our middle school FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team, Team 11181, secured the prestigious Inspire Award – 3rd Place at the recent competition held at The New Standard Academy, among 36 competing teams! The Inspire Award is a testament to the students' overall excellence, recognizing a team that truly embodies FIRST’s core values: teamwork, innovation, community engagement and fun. Our students not only excelled in the technical aspects of the competition but also demonstrated exceptional spirit and collaboration.
A Day of Learning and Laughter
The competition was a huge success, filled with learning and fun. Highlights from the event included winning some fantastic, community-driven recognition:
"Coolest Robot Design": The team's creative flair shone through, earning them this title for their robot, which featured a charming, stuffed bulldog puppy mascot.
"You Rock" - Most Team Partnership Appreciation Award: In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, our team was presented with this Lucite award by another competing team, recognizing their positive engagement and collaborative spirit throughout the day.
The students are incredibly proud of their achievements and the knowledge they gained. They are now channeling that enthusiasm toward their next challenge.
Looking Ahead
With this major victory under their belt, Team 11181 is already preparing for their upcoming competition on Saturday, November 23rd, in Midland.
This remarkable experience was made possible by the unwavering support of their key sponsors, including: APTIV, Magna Corporation, the Michigan Department of Education, the City of Burton Veteran's Honor Run, the City of Burton Memorial Day 5K, and Bentley Middle School and their lead mentors: Daryl Spaulding and Patty Camp. The team also recruited Bentley Alum and Skeet Coach Breanna Gorman to help out with the team. A huge congratulations to the entire team! You truly inspire our community and demonstrate the power of dedication.