Seacrest’s robotics team qualifies for world competition – Naples Daily News

Seacrest Country Day School RoboRays celebrating victory at Orlando FIRST Regional robotics tournament held March 11 12.(Photo: Submitted)

Seacrest Country Day Schools high school robotics team has qualified for the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) robotics world championship in Houston, Texas.

The RoboRays, only in their second year, beat 60 other teams at a FIRST competition in Orlando last week to win the title of co-regional champions alongside two other teams.

There was a bit of confusion and disbelief, said Seacrest senior Kate Talano, 17, a scouter for the RoboRays. Im really humbled to have been able to witness that experience. Ive never seen a team so dedicated.

Most of the teams that compete in FIRST competitions are made up of at least 50 team membersand some have upwards of 100. The RoboRays have only 13 students.

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Were such a small team that nobody expected us to get this far, said RoboRays captain and driver Will LaFreniere, 17, a senior.

Only two students on the team had prior robotics experience when the team started last year.

We started from next to nothing, Will said. Weve had to scrap and scrape to find all the resources we can. Its been really tough but the fact we made it through, theres really a sense of pride that comes along with it.

The team has been practicing six days a week since February, working alongside robotics coach Marc Barry as well as two advisors from the teams sponsor Florida Power and Light.

Barry said the adults have been hands off throughout the robot building process, which has contributed to the teams success.

Its given them a greater sense of ownership and pride and thats shown through in the way they carry themselves and in the pride they have in their accomplishments, he said.

Now that the team has qualified, theyre shifting their focus from circuit boards to fundraising.

Registration to FIRST'sworldcompetition alone costs $5,000. Barry estimates it will cost another $10,000 for travel, lodging and meals.

The team is holding a Cars & Coffee Autoshow fundraiser on Saturday, April 1 from 9 a.m. 1 p.m. at Seacrest Country Day School at 7100 Davis Boulevard in Naples. All proceeds will go towards the robotics program to sendthe students to the world competition, which will take place April 19 22.

Car registration costs $20 in advance and $25 the day of the fundraiser. For more information or to register a car, contact Tina LaFreniere at 918-497-8500 or tina@pintime.com.

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Seacrest's robotics team qualifies for world competition - Naples Daily News