The Hamilton Heights Middle School (HHMS) robotics team is headed to the 2019 Indiana VEX Robotics State Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium after successfully qualifying four teams earlier this season.
This will be the second year in a row that Lacy Bowyer, Hamilton Heights Middle School Robotics Teacher and Robotics Club Coach, and her students will compete at the state level. Bowyer, recognized as the 2017-18 VEX Indiana Teacher of the Year by the State of Indiana, saw competition at the global level where three of out of four teams made it to state and all three teams earned an invitation to the VEX Robotics World Competition in Louisville, Ky., last year. They were the only school from Hamilton County represented among more than 400 teams from over 30 countries.
Team 214G ‘SMACK Attack’ after winning the Excellence Award at the Lewis Cass tournament. (From left) Madyson Eshelman, Cassidy Felger, Anna Rickey, Sydni Zebrauskas and Kaylee Rhoton. (Photo provided)
“I couldn’t be more proud of this team,” said Bowyer. “These kids come in every day ready to work. They set goals and chase after them. What they’ve been able to accomplish has exceeded my expectations by a long shot. Their passion brings excitement that is unheard of and we function as if we are one large family. I’ve witnessed the ups and downs many times, but I always revert back to telling them that the skills they are learning through robotics are lifelong skills that will transfer over to whatever it is that they someday choose to do. These kids are a large part of my life and exactly how I know I’m in the right profession every single day. I also must thank my assistant coach, Chad Jung, for all that he has done for this team. He has been a huge asset and the kids feed off his energy. We wouldn’t be where we are today without his assistance and expertise.”
Members from teams 214A and 214D competed together in a teamwork challenge. Both teams have qualified for the state championship. (From left) Jaydon Burrow, Thatcher Jung, Josh Steffen and Alex Rickey. (Photo provided)
The Indiana VEX Robotics State Championship is the largest state robotics competition in the nation, with 360 teams competing from around the Hoosier state. Teams are eligible to compete at the event by winning a state-qualifying award at a local competition. HHMS’s team qualified at the regular season tournaments earlier in the school year. They did so by winning Teamwork Challenges, Skills Challenges and the Excellence Awards at area events. Teams that advance from the State Championship have the opportunity at a spot to compete at the VEX Worlds Championship in April which will include 730 teams from around the world.
“Indiana has the most VEX IQ Elementary and Middle School Robotics teams in the United States, so advancing to the state championship is a commendable achievement,” says George Giltner, State Director of Robotics for TechPoint Foundation for Youth. “The best of the state’s robotics competitors will be on display, and we look forward to seeing the teams showcase their talents at the event on the largest stage Indiana has to offer.”
The Indiana VEX Robotics State Championship will be held this Saturday, March 9, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and is free and open to the public. The event will include hands-on activities hosted by national and local companies.
For more information about the event or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please visit techpointyouth.org/statechamp.