The Eagles Robotics team advanced to the regional competition, which is March 31 to April 1. The team competes in three types of competitions: BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology), FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) and FTC (FIRST Tech Competitions). Competitions are based on fabricating a robot that can be controlled both autonomously and human-operated. There are also competitions in which STEM ideals are spread through outreach competitions.

“It’s been amazing to come this far in competition. All the hard work and effort from the past three years has finally paid off, and it’s an incredible feeling,” senior, co-president and co-CEO of the Robotics teams Vennela Gajjala said. “I have been around for three years, and it’s been amazing to finally win first place and get our first blue banner.”

This year, the team has competed at Allen High School, but they have also competed in Plano for FTC (FIRST Tech Competition), Frisco for BEST State Championship, Dallas for FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) Regional and Houston for another FRC Regional. With all the traveling occurring for the team, members have to spend a lot of time together.

“Most of the team is extremely close,” junior Arshad Bacchus said. “Granted, there are different friend groups within the club, but everyone can get along. Personally, I’m very happy with our team.”

The Robotics team’s successes have become a priority in most of the members’ minds. With meetings every Tuesday and Thursday for sometimes more than two hours, some students may find the strain between schoolwork and robotics too stressful. However, co-president and senior Niki Powell embraces the team while she’s in it.

“For me, I like the challenge of balancing school with robotics,” Powell said. “I mean, when college hits, it’s not going to be there, so I take advantage of it, even if it means a little less TV.”

The success of the robotics team has built tremendous momentum for what the members hope to accomplish. Although they hope to do well in the regional competition this weekend, the team also has to keep in mind their plan to compete at the Worlds competition next month.

“While winning this regional would be nice, I just hope that the new systems we have made for the robot will work,” junior Arshad Bacchus said. “As the driver, I hope to get decent practice with the new components so that I may get used to them for the World Championship we will be attending late April.”