Several regional FIRST Robotics teams competed this weekend at the Escanaba and Gaylord Tournaments.

Alpena High School Robotics Team 5505 won the Chairman’s Award at the Escanaba Tournament over the weekend. The Chairman’s Award is the most prestigious award in FIRST Robotics. It honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST Robotics.

The Chairman’s Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season. The winner is also able to demonstrate progress toward FIRST Robotics mission of transforming our culture.

According to a press release, AHS teacher Melissa Doubek said Team 5505 displayed excellence in all facets of the principles of FIRST Robotics and their commitment to improving the economic and social future of their community through the FIRST Robotics program is outstanding.

Doubek said through Team 5505’s efforts, local employers recognized the value of cultivating the STEM culture in their community, as a means of supplying future valuable employees. She said Team 5505’s commitment to starting FIRST Robotics teams goes above and beyond.

“They worked to help start teams in their region and have given back to the community though its many service projects,” Doubek said. “Team 5505 will be invited to the State Championship where it will compete for the Chairman’s Award against winners from other qualifying events and compete with their robot.”

AHS has worked together this year with students at Oscoda High School to start a new team. The Oscoda Owls also competed at the Escanaba Tournament. After a very quick three week build Oscoda was awarded the Highest Rookie Seed Award. This award celebrates the highest seeded rookie team at the conclusion of the qualifying rounds.

Oscoda also earned the Rookie All-Star Award. This award celebrates the rookie team exemplifying a young but strong partnership effort, as well as implementing the mission of FIRST Robotics to inspire students to learn more about science and technology. The young Oscoda Owl students have embraced the excitement of FIRST Robotics and STEM education.

Both AHS Teams, 5230 and 5505, as well as the Oscoda Owls (Team 7250) advanced beyond the qualification matches at the Escanaba Tournament on Saturday to compete in the playoffs. Team 5505 lost in the semifinal match. The Alcona Toolcats (Team 5525) and Atlanta Huskie Robotics (Team 7244) advanced beyond the qualification matches to compete in the playoffs at the Gaylord Tournament on Saturday.

AHS FIRST Robotics teams appreciates the extraordinary support from their community and local industry to promote this unique STEM opportunity for all of the regional students.