Perham High School Robotics Team Thrives at FIRST Championship
PERHAM, MINNESOTA — The Perham High School robotics team, known as the Full Metal Jackets, achieved remarkable success at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship held in Houston, Texas, from April 16-19. Their performance not only exceeded expectations but also showcased their dedication and hard work.
Expectations vs. Reality: A Surprising Outcome
Senior team member Elsa Bieger vividly recalls the team’s predictions before the qualifying rounds. "We thought we might rank in the 30s and would need to be picked by a captain to advance," she recounted. However, the team was pleasantly surprised. "In the end, we ended up being selected as one of the captains, which was a lot better than we expected going into this."
Scouting and Strategy: The Key to Success
Bieger highlighted the importance of thorough preparation by the scouting team, which rounded up a list of 24 potential alliance partners for the elimination rounds. This strategic approach allowed them to analyze and rank the teams based on their climbing abilities, scoring accuracy, speed, and past breakdowns.
A Thrilling Competition: Facing the Giants
Upon entering the elimination round, the Perham team quickly realized they would face formidable opponents, including the top-seeded team. Ethan Brassel, another senior, likened the matchups to March Madness, describing how top-ranked teams often face lower-ranked ones. "We lost by about 20 points, which was really unfortunate," he explained, referring to the final score of 220 to 243. Despite the loss, the team felt proud to have competed at such a high level.
Perham High School robotics team members wheel their competition robot onto the floor. (Contributed / Celeste Kostohryz)
A Remarkable Achievement: Seventh Place Finish
After an intense series of matches, the Perham High School robotics program concluded their first bid for an international title with a commendable seventh-place finish in their division. This achievement emphasizes their capabilities and potential to grow further in future competitions.
Community Support: The Backbone of Success
The students recognized that their success wouldn’t have been possible without significant community support. Team members shared heartfelt gratitude for those who financially backed their journey, expressing that the achievement belonged to everyone involved.
Perham High School’s robotics program has many sponsors that have helped the program find success. (Contributed / Celeste Kostohryz)
Fundraising Triumph: Meeting the Goal
In just a few weeks before the championship, the Full Metal Jackets received their invitation to the prestigious international competition. With a target set to raise $30,000 for their nine-day trip, the team launched a comprehensive fundraising campaign covering not just entry fees but also travel, hotel, and meals.
Booster President Celeste Kostohryz explained that without successful fundraising, only a skeleton crew might have attended the event, which would have altered the experience significantly. "It would not have been the same experience," she said.
NASA Visit: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Alongside competing, the team members had the unique opportunity to visit NASA, enhancing their experience and providing inspiration for future projects. The visit emphasized the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and its real-world applications.
Gratitude from Team Members
The robotics team members expressed deep gratitude for all community support, thanking everyone who helped them meet and exceed their fundraising goal. Team member Maddox Wagner shared a touching message, "I just want to say, thank you; a massive thank you!"
Representation and Community Pride
Kostohryz noted how well the students represented Perham High School at the international competition. "The students really went above and beyond," she stated, firmly believing that the positive momentum from the event will continue to foster pride in the community.
Acts of Kindness: More Than Just Robotics
Upon returning home, several team members chose to stay on the bus a bit longer, actively cleaning up and ensuring the bus was clean before leaving. "They weren’t asked to do it; they just did it," Kostohryz mentioned, highlighting the spirit of responsibility ingrained in these young innovators.
Looking Forward: Next Steps for the Robotics Team
As the season continues, the Full Metal Jackets have one final competition before wrapping up, heading to the state championship on May 10-11. The team is excited about sharing their experiences and insights with the community through an upcoming open house, where residents will have the chance to see their robot in action.
The Full Metal Jackets were one of about 600 teams from around the world that converged in Texas for the FIRST robotics world championship. (Contributed / Celeste Kostohryz)
Conclusion: An Inspiring Journey Ahead
In summary, the journey of the Perham High School robotics team at the FIRST Championship has been nothing short of inspiring. With extraordinary teamwork, strong community support, and a burning desire to learn and innovate, they have not only showcased their skills on an international stage but have also fostered lasting bonds within their community. Their story isn’t just about robotics; it’s about dreams, perseverance, and the power of collaboration. As they gear up for their next challenge, the future looks bright for these talented students!
