The Highland Robotics Team (from L-R) — Lane Griffis, Emily Streb, Matt Butler, Luke Van Schoyck, Sam Smith, Jack Streb, Nathan Butler, Connor Cermak, Robert Yoder, Austin Cromer, and Coach Tim Surine (not pictured: Brock Beinhart); photo by Joe Cerwinske

The Highland High School Robotics Team recently competed in a super-qualifier event in Johnston. They advanced to the state competition for the First Tech Challenge robotics program. In order to become one of the 48 teams to participate at state, the team had to advance at the league qualifying competition, and then the super-qualifier event. The team was one of the last at the super-qualifier to find out they had advanced to state, and while they were excited to hear the news, they said a team they had befriended at the competition was perhaps even more excited for them. Team member Sam Smith says that type of camaraderie is common at competitions.

Smith explains, “The whole First (Tech Challenge) program kind of has their own term, ‘gracious professionalism.’ That’s really what a lot of FTC and First programs are all about. Being competitive but also helping other teams if they need it. Even if you’re against another team, you’re supposed to help them. Just so everyone has a good experience. It’s more about the experience than actually about winning.” The state competition will be held on February 25th at the Marriott Hotel in Coralville. They encourage people to come see the competition, especially if they’ve never seen one before. To hear more from the Highland Robotics Team, listen to the two-part In Touch with Southeast Iowa interview at KCIIRadio.com.