FRC 4607, C.I.S., Becker’s robotics team, broke a school record competing at the 10,000 Lakes Regional in Minneapolis last week, bringing home five awards, which included second place at the competition, Team Spirit, Dean’s List Finalist, Volunteer of the Year and Safety. Member Sarah Schmidt also received the Safety Star of the Day.
“We made if pretty far in the elimination rounds,” said Blake Soenneker. “We got to the finals but were taken out by the number one alliance.”
The team won the Team Spirit award with their enthusiasm and spirit, which includes the clothing they wore, the support of the crowd, how they treated others and their presence in the entire stadium.
“We had fun,” said Amelia Suhsen. “There was a lot of really good energy in the crowd.”
Diana Bellefeuille received a Dean’s List Finalist award, which celebrates outstanding student leaders whose passion for and effectiveness at attaining FIRST ideals is exemplary. By receiving the award, she also qualified to compete for Dean’s List at the World Championship.
“They look at best expression of FIRST leadership, technical expertise, ability to motivate fellow teams and academic good standing,” said Bellefeuille.
On Thursday of the competition, Sarah Schmidt received Safety Star of the Day, given to the person who made the best safety impact on their own and other teams.
The entire Becker team won the UL Safety Award, which celebrates the team that progresses beyond safety fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards. One of the many reasons they received the award was the creation of their own safety handbook, which was so well done they presented and explained it to other teams that expressed interest.
Dylan Winter and Mitchell Sakry also created a safety video at the beginning of the season that was styled after the television show Home Improvement.
When the judges for the safety award were going around speaking with the teams, one of the Becker team members told them, “Safety isn’t just one person, it’s our team culture.”
“That’s what we want to hear,” the judges responded.
The team’s final award was given to one of their volunteers, Chris Roadfeldt. He received the Volunteer of the Year award, which is presented to an individual who consistently excels in their efforts with proven results in the areas impact.
“He does so much for everyone,” said Suhsen. “Not just us.”
Along with their latest awards, the team recently completed the Grand Slam of Chairman’s Awards in the state after winning all four of the Regional Chairman’s Awards at all four different regionals in Minnesota.
The Chairman’s Award is the most prestigious award at FIRST, honoring the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the organization’s purpose and goals.
The Becker robotics team will next head to Detroit for the World Championship April 23. They’ll be competing with their robot and on the Chairman’s side against teams from all over the world. This is their fourth straight year qualifying.
