McKinley Park News – Horizon Robotics Team Dominates in Wisconsin Regionals, Heads to Detroit Nationals

The FIRST 5125 Hawks on the Horizon robotics team from Horizon Science Academy – McKinley Park is getting set for national-level competition after dominating in the regionals in Wisconsin at the end of March. Now heading to the Detroit national robotics championship from Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, April 27, the Hawks are flying high after winning Wisconsin’s Regional Chairman’s Award, the most prestigious award in the March competition.

“I’m proud of everything our team has done,” said Carlos Perez, Director of Control Systems and four-year team veteran. “We are finally seen as a team who does more with the limited resources we have, and are changing the meaning of the award by making a call to action.”

Hawks on the Horizon coaches and team members celebrate their win at the Wisconsin regionals.The FIRST Championship is a program of the non-profit FIRST organization, which has engaged young people in technology learning and competition since its founding in 1989. The upcoming championship in Detroit pits 400 teams from across the world to take on this year’s robotics challenge, “Destination: Deep Space.”

“I am slightly nervous, but I am confident in our team,” said Director of Outreach Evelyn Munoz, a member on the team for four years. “Our little team from McKinley Park is now a role model to others.”

Team Director of Fundraising Alexis Ortega said robotics was completely new to her when she was inspired to join based on her older brothers’ strong performance in the team’s rookie year. “I did not know how to handle power tools or wire a robot, and didn’t know what programming was,” she said. “That changed once i joined.”

McKinley Park neighbors and Hawks on the Horizon fans can tap into complete coverage from multiple sources on the FIRSTtv page set up for the event. The two video windows embedded below offer free streaming coverage from April 24 through April 27, including field-side play by play of young roboticists competing live, as well as highlights and interviews from Beyond the Bots feature coverage.

“I was the only girl on the team, and it was intimidating,” said Ortega. “But once I found my place, I knew I could overcome the challenges I would face.”

Hawks on the Horizon team members and coaches proudly show off their Chairman’s Award at the 2019 Wisconsin Regional FIRST competition.