Redmond Proficiency Academy robotics team advances to state tournament

The Redmond Proficiency Academy (RPA) FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics Team #5627 won the Motivate Award at the state qualifying tournament on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, in Roseburg, Ore. The award earns the team advancement to the state tournament.

Judges give the Motivate Award to the team that embraces the culture of FIRST and clearly demonstrate what it means to be a team, RPA robotics instructor Josh White said.

On the FIRST website, the organization explains their philosophies of gracious professionalism and “coopertition” through the following core values:

• Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
• Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
• Impact:  We apply what we learn to improve our world.
• Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
• Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
• Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

“I am very proud of our team,” White said. “We had some technical problems but the team reacted in a positive way. They were able to problem solve under pressure and still made it to the semi-finals. To be selected for an award among so many amazing teams is a wonderful compliment to how well they are able to work together.”

The team finished the season on the winning alliance at the Central Oregon League Championship, and was a finalist alliance and Design Award winner at the qualifying tournament in Tigard.

“All our preparation for this event really paid off,” said junior Logan Bryan. “We are already working on the robot for the next competition.” 

The State Tournament is scheduled for March 14-15 at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, where they will compete with other top-ranked teams from around the state with hopes to advance to the World’s Championship in Houston, Texas.