Umatilla High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 4125 Confidential has qualified to compete in the Pacific Northwest Championships in Cheney, Washington, April 8-11.
The team secured their spot at the PNW Championships through their performance at events earlier this season, where they were recognized for their outreach efforts and contributions to their community.
The team earned the Impact Award, the highest honor in FRC, which recognizes teams that serve as a model for others and best embody the mission of FIRST. In addition to the Impact Award, the team also earned the Engineering Inspiration Award earlier this season. According to FIRST, the award “celebrates a team that demonstrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school, organization, and community.”
“This season has really been a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students,” said mentor Kyle Sipe. “Not only on the robot, but in their understanding of what’s going on in the world and their willingness to stay involved and engaged in their community and their futures.”
At the PNW Championships, the team will compete alongside top teams from across the region. They will be eligible to compete for the Impact Award again, the Engineering Inspiration Award, and will also compete with their robot on the field.
“It’s been an exciting season,” Coach Sipe said. “The students have faced a lot of adversity and have used that to keep pushing forward. They have three pathways to make it to the world finals, and we have really high hopes.”
Depending on their performance at the PNW Championships, the team may have the opportunity to advance to the FIRST World Championships in Houston, Texas later this spring.