Mercy's Robotics Team Moves On To New England Championships

Middletown CT

08 April, 2022

12:18 PM

Description

Middletown, CT—Mercy's Robotics Team, the TechTigers, had two consecutive amazing weekends competing in the New England FIRST District Event in Waterbury, CT, March 12-13, and the New England FIRST District Western New England (NE) Event in Springfield, March 19-20. "What an honor to win the Chairman's Award and to have been on the second-place alliance! We are also so honored to have won the Engineering Inspiration Award at the New England FIRST District Western NE Event. We were also quarterfinalists and ranked ninth overall. Now, looking forward to the District Championship!" said Sangita Ray, Physics Teacher and TechTigers Mentor. The Chairman's Award is "the most prestigious award at FIRST, it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the mission of FIRST. It was created to keep the central focus of FIRST Robotics Competition on the goal of transforming the culture in ways that will inspire greater levels of respect and honor for science and technology, as well as encouraging more of today's youth to become science and technology leaders." The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success on advancing respect and appreciation for engineering and inspiring others to respect science and technology. The TechTigers are proud of their accomplishments, having won many awards, events, and championships since the team's founding in 2010, as one of the only all- girl FIRST robotics teams in the New England district. TechTiger mentor and father of Mercy alumnae, Steve Ernst, pointed out, "It's true that they're an 'all-girls' team. But gender does not define their level of talent and abilities; they're tough competitors. They are a superior all-around team!" Since their founding, the TechTigers have won over a decade of awards; 2021 New England District Championship Chairman's Award; 2020 New England District Championship Chairman's Award; 2020 New England District Waterbury Event Chairman's Award; 2019 CT State Robotics Championship Winner; 2019 New England District Championship Chairman's Award; 2019 New England District—Western New England Event Chairman's Award, and the list goes on. It is especially exciting to bring back in-person competitions, after the pandemic moved meets to the virtual space. "Getting back to in person competitions has been amazing. As a team, we participated in as many virtual competitions and judged awards as possible while completely reworking our outreach during the height of the pandemic. This was rewarding, but there is just nothing like the thrill of in-person competitions. The connections you make with other teams on match alliances, the spirit of a crowd of people cheering for their team, and the adrenaline rush of seeing your robot succeed on the field make in-person competitions an unforgettable experience. The team and I could not be more excited to be back to competitions!" shared Grace Cink, Senior TechTigers Captain. The TechTiger's next stop is the New England District Championships, April 13-16. They have their sights on the World Championship in Houston, TX, April 20-23. Ray left us with these inspirational words, "Team TechTigers 3654 encourages not only our members, but all young women, to fly and to soar beyond expectations. And we won't stop until everyone can reach their dreams—flying into a better tomorrow." About Mercy TechTigers On October 25, 2010, Mercy High School in Middletown, CT, started one of the only all-girl FIRST robotics teams in the New England, known as the TechTigers 3654. Students work with adult mentors and team captains who teach the skills needed to build and program a robot and to run a business. The mission of the Mercy TechTigers is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, which inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. Learn more at techtigers3654.org. About Mercy High School, Middletown CT Mercy High School provides a challenging college preparatory academic experience with a strong foundation of Catholic teachings, and traditions and values of the Sisters of Mercy, in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes service, confidence, ethical leadership and respect, encouraging each student to flourish individually while rooted in community. Learn more at www.mercyhigh.com.