Pine Crest Middle School robotics team proudly represents South Florida at the VEXIQ World Championships

Pine Crest, Florida – In an exciting display of teamwork, skill, and sportsmanship, the Pine Crest Middle School robotics team from Boca Raton recently competed at the prestigious VEXIQ World Championships. Representing Team 78336A—also known as “The Panthers”—these young engineers took their talents to the global stage, joining a select group of competitors from the South Florida region.

The event, which spanned three action-packed days, challenged students with the “Rapid Relay” competition. The Panthers were paired with 11 other teams from around the world, including students from South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Australia, California, Texas, and Florida. The teams worked together to score the highest possible points through strategic coordination and fast-paced robotics tasks.

“The team performed at the highest level of their season,” said Mr. Kris Swanson, Pine Crest’s Computer Science and Technology Specialist and Robotics Coach. “Their robot functioned flawlessly, and their driving and loading skills showed off the hours and hours of practice that they put in throughout the season and especially in the past two months leading up to the World Championships.”

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Throughout the event, The Panthers demonstrated not only technical skill but also exceptional character. Their respectful and positive engagement with both partner teams and officials stood out, ultimately earning them the Math Division Sportsmanship Award. This recognition highlights their grace under pressure and the team’s ability to build positive relationships—qualities just as important as mechanical precision in competitions of this scale.

“Qualifying for the World Championships was a significant achievement for the team,” Mr. Swanson added. “Furthermore, receiving the Sportsmanship award reflects the values upheld at Pine Crest School. We are all very proud of the team!”

The Panthers’ success was made possible by months of hard work, dedication, and problem-solving. Behind the robot’s seamless performance was a rigorous preparation process, with long hours spent refining its design, coding, and practicing execution strategies. From assembling their robot to navigating high-pressure rounds, the team demonstrated resilience and commitment to excellence.

The VEXIQ World Championships not only tested the students’ engineering capabilities but also created a space for cultural exchange and collaboration. For the Panthers, working with international peers expanded their horizons and showed them how robotics can serve as a universal language—bringing young innovators together regardless of background.

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Congratulations go to the team members who made this experience unforgettable: Tylar Bakalar ’31, Maxwell Bogner ’31, Jayden Paterson ’31, Austin White ’31, Juan Yoshikay ’31, and Jared Hamby ’31. These students not only represented Pine Crest School with pride but also left a positive impression on the global robotics community.

Their journey at the World Championships marks a milestone for Pine Crest’s robotics program and sets the bar high for future teams. With such a strong foundation, there’s no doubt that The Panthers will continue to push the boundaries of what middle school students can achieve in STEM.