For the very first time, South’s VEX Robotics team guaranteed themselves a spot at the Illinois VEX Robotics High School State Championship: Over Under, where students will compete with their robots today and tomorrow. If the team continues their winning streak, their next move is the VEX Robotics World Championship, which will be held in Dallas from April 25 to May 5. 

Both VEX Robotics Teams, Titantron and C-3POE, earned their spot at State by winning the Invitational Tournament at Von Steuben High School on Feb. 3. Members focused on building a robot that navigates this year’s VEX game, Justin Zummo, Engineering Teacher and Engineering Club sponsor, said. Teams gain points by controlling their robots to shoot balls into goals, Zummo added. Out of all of the teams that go to state, only those with the most points will qualify for World, adding to the competitive nature of the event, Zummo explained.    

“Everybody wears their heart on their sleeve [at the competitions] because they’ve spent hours upon hours developing and working on their designs, and they’re all very proud of their work,” Zummo said. “When things don’t go their way, it can be frustrating; there’s a lot of heart in it.”

Additionally, out of 37 teams, South placed second in the Lockport High School Competition on Feb. 18, sophomore Emerson Tuvell, VEX Robotics member, said. In order to prepare for competition, the team has committed to practicing on their robots since August, sophomore Matthew Yam, VEX Robotics member, said. By researching other previously-made robots, the team has improved their innovations to their fullest advantage, Yam added. 

“[Building a robot] is difficult at the start, because you don’t really know what you’re aiming for,” Yam said. “It’s a lot of trial and error.”

The intense competitions and long working hours for the students, has brought the team closer together, Tuvell said. Despite being a woman in a predominantly male team, the inclusion and community in the club is strong, Tuvell explained. Along with the team’s consistent cooperation, Tuvell credits the team’s unwavering support for their victory in going to state. 

 “There’s  teamwork that goes into winning and competing,” Tuvell said. “You can’t just have a good robot, you need a good team.”