WATERBURY- On March 11-12, 2023, Crosby, Kennedy, and Wilby High School competed at the New England First Robotics Competition Qualifier. First Robotics has provided this weekend's results as well as honored Kennedy High School with two awards. 

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. With strict rules and limited resources, each team of high-school students is challenged to raise funds, hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. This year, the challenge was CHARGED UP presented by Haas, an energy-themed game played by two alliances of three robots each. New England FRC teams each earn ranking points at two local district events, such as the NE FIRST Waterbury District Event, with the hopes of qualifying to participate in the New England District Championship. The New England District Championship will host 90 of the best New England FRC teams, April 6–8, 2023, at the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) in West Springfield, Mass.

Waterbury High School rankings are seen below:

• Wilby High School Team 889 (Project W) received 9th and made the playoffs with a 7-4-1 record. 

• Kennedy High School received 21st with 6-6 record

• Crosby High School received 35th and had a 4-7 record

In addition, the Kennedy High School Robotics Team #9193 ‘The Short-Circuited Eagles’ received two awards: Highest Rookie Team Ranking and the Rookie Inspiration Award. Kennedy High School received the ‘Rookie Inspiration Award’  for being an outstanding Rookie team on the field and in presentation. The panel judges were volunteers, expert coders, engineers, educators, and industry professionals, as well as fellow competitors. 

“It was a great tournament and I am so proud and honored to work with these talented students,” said Wilby High School science teacher Dr. Michael LaPointe. 

“I could not be prouder of the team,” said Kennedy High School technology teacher and team coach Christopher C. Perkins. “For high schoolers it is a monumental feat. The support from the administrators, other coaches, staff, parents, and experts from the field and even other teams has all contributed to our ability to have our students find success in the process and even in the outcome.” 

Waterbury Public Schools congratulates all the teams on their successes this weekend and we look forward to watching you advance and succeed in future competitions! 

About Waterbury Public Schools
Waterbury Public Schools offer a comprehensive educational program to over 18,600 students in grades Pre-K through 12. This program includes core academics, fine and applied arts, health and fitness, and career pathway offerings as well as special education, an alternative school, and several enrichment programs. Waterbury Public Schools mission is to inspire and prepare every student to be successful in and beyond school. Learn more at www.waterbury.k12.ct.us.

About FIRST®

FIRST® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured afterschool programs. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.

 An international not-for-profit organization founded by accomplished inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Alumni of FIRST programs gain access to exclusive scholarships, internships, and other opportunities that create connections and open pathways to a wide variety of careers. Learn more at firstinspires.org.

FIRST Robotics is powered primarily by volunteers. Professionals from the business community serve as mentors for high school team members. Each team is responsible for their own fundraising, and are judged on many criteria from the building of the robot to the sustainability of the team.

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Belen Michelis, Director of Communications, belen.michelis@waterbury.k12.ct.us