Aloha Hale`iwa Families,
Thank you to everyone for supporting our Canefires’ Robotics Teams this year. Your donations to our Spring Fundraiser were a HUGE help.
The VEX IQ Robotics Worlds Championship took place this past week from May 2 to May 4 in Dallas, Texas. We are very excited to share that our team did AMAZE-ING!!!!!
This year’s competition was even more challenging than last year because the total number of teams that participated doubled. There were approximately 750 to 800 teams from all over the world, including China this year, that competed at the Worlds. Our Canefires competed in the Technology Division which had 76 teams total. There were 10 Divisions. To play in the finals for the World Championship, teams had to win their Division Championship first.
Throughout the majority of the competition, our Canefires were in the top 20 of their Division. Going into the Technology Playoffs, we were ranked 7th. The Canefires were also the only team from Hawaii to make it to the playoffs for their Division. Unfortunately, we did not win the Division Championship to advance to the finals. However, our Canefires did earn a very prestigious award for their Division –the “AMAZE” award. According to the VEX organization, the AMAZE award is presented to a team that has built an amazing, high-scoring robot that clearly demonstrates overall quality. With 10 divisions, there were probably only 10 AMAZE awards given out, and our team earned one of those awards out of almost 800 teams in the world! AMAZE-ING!!!!
To say that we are proud of our Canefires is an understatement. Last year, our 96712A and 96712B Canefires’ teams made Hale`iwa history by bringing home our first ever robotics state championship banners. This year, 96712A continued the tradition by bringing home our first ever WORLDS CHAMPIONSHIP AWARD... THE AMAZE AWARD. They also brought home a second state championship banner this year to add to our collection.
Please join us in congratulating our 96712A sixth grade team members: Liam Ejercito, Pressli Garcia, Marissa Moody and Mykaela Simpson. We also must recognize that our team would not have enjoyed such success without the dedication and hard work of the BEST robotics coach in the world – Mr. Jared Haiola. Thank you also to Mrs. Pam Yamakawa who has assisted Mr. Haiola all year in taking care of the logistical operations for our Canefires. Also, thank you to Mrs. Dolan for helping at Worlds. The success has truly been a team effort!
Go Canefires!!!
Mrs. Wetzel
