NRHS Robotics Team Triumphs in Season Opener, Takes Innovate Award
The New Rochelle High School Robotics Club kicked off its competition season with an impressive showing at the regional robotics event last Saturday at Mount Academy in Esopus, NY. Out of 40 participating teams, five represented New Rochelle, with two advancing to the quarterfinals and one earning the prestigious Innovate Award.
Team A, comprising sophomores Valeria Bances Sanches, Marisol Figueroa, Alan Verghese, Samuel Gall, Sophia Fuentes, and Bryan Mesajil, captured the Innovate Award for their creativity and engineering design while also qualifying for the quarterfinals.
Joining them in the quarterfinals was Team C, which included senior Dylan Rittenberg and sophomores Nick Ensuncho, Talia Koff, and Luna Diaz Raitz.
Team D also delivered a strong debut performance, securing seventh place in the qualification round. Team members sophomore Cristian Lopez and seniors Andrés Morales and Giovany Velasquez impressed judges despite this being their first competition.
“Robotics competitions like this are a culmination of months of planning, collaboration, and hard work on the part of these students,” said Zachariah Biondo, science teacher and Robotics Club advisor, who oversees the group alongside Advanced Robotics teacher Maria Walsh. “All five teams made a strong showing and will use this experience to redesign and improve their robots for the next competition.”
The teams now set their sights on their next challenge, scheduled for January 18th in Fallsburg.
The Robotics Club, which meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, continues to foster innovation and teamwork among students who are passionate about STEM.