About half of the members of Ferradermis, including two brand new members who have joined this summer, were able to travel to Dousman on Saturday, June 24, for the Laser Lights Off-Season Event sponsored by FRC Team #2077 Laser Robotics from Kettle Moraine High School.
Team members look tired but fulfilled after a full day of competition and fundraising. Pictured from left to right are Mentor Reilly Aschenbrener, Driver Andrew O’Toole, Mentor Rosie Aschenbrener, Mentor Kat Dunham, Ian Kowalkiewicz, Technician Belle Cohen, Head Coach Jacob Lee, Competition Logistics Lead Emerson Dunham, Advisor Laura Masbruch, Human Player Erison Dreksler, Operator Ace Hudec, Chacha Binagi, Margaret Brown, and Toby Kapfer. Not pictured is Class of 2023 Alum Jazmin Cederberg.
The team had a very successful day and was the first pick in alliance selections when we were asked to join the #1 ranked team, FRC Team #930 the Mukwonago Bears from Mukwonago High School for the playoffs. Mukwonago and Ferradermis later added the host team from Laser as the third member of their alliance. The alliance made a great run through the playoffs before being knocked out by the eventual champion, the second-seeded alliance led by FRC Team #6421 the Warriorbots from Muskego High School, in the semi-finals. Ferradermis officially finished as part of the 3rd place alliance.
Competition Logistics Subteam Lead Emerson Dunham stands with a rep from Mukwonago after being drafted as their #1 pick for the playoffs
Drive Team Members Andrew O'Toole, Ace Hudec, and Erison Dreksler set up the robot for a qualification match
Ferradermis Alumni mentoring teams at this event Included Reilly Aschenbrener, Wesley Salverson (a recent MSOE grad who is now working in Fond du Lac and mentoring Fondy Fire), and Jacob Lee
Ferradermis is famous for their Chocolate Chip Pancakes and Loaded Nachos offered annually at this event
Grafitti from Greendale checks out the road cases in our pit designed and constructed for the team by mentor Chris Dunham
New incoming freshman member Ian Kowalkiewicz shares match video with the drive team after a match
Team members work to set up the concession stand
The Drive Team prepares for a Qualification Match while Head Coach Jacob Lee talks with the human players for our alliance partners
Competition Logistics Subteam Lead Emerson Dunham stands with a rep from Mukwonago after being drafted as their #1 pick for the playoffs
Drive Team Members Andrew O'Toole, Ace Hudec, and Erison Dreksler set up the robot for a qualification match
Ferradermis Alumni mentoring teams at this event Included Reilly Aschenbrener, Wesley Salverson (a recent MSOE grad who is now working in Fond du Lac and mentoring Fondy Fire), and Jacob Lee
Ferradermis is famous for their Chocolate Chip Pancakes and Loaded Nachos offered annually at this event
Grafitti from Greendale checks out the road cases in our pit designed and constructed for the team by mentor Chris Dunham
New incoming freshman member Ian Kowalkiewicz shares match video with the drive team after a match
Team members work to set up the concession stand
The Drive Team prepares for a Qualification Match while Head Coach Jacob Lee talks with the human players for our alliance partners
In addition to competing, Ferradermis also operated the concession stand for the event as a team fundraiser.
Watch for the team (weather permitting) in the Whitewater Fourth of July Parade and at the Whitewater City Market on July 11 if you’d like to learn more. The team will next be in competition in Rockford, Illinois on Saturday, July 22 before wrapping up the summer off-season at Mukwonago on July 28 and 29.
The team, which is open to any Whitewater High School student, will continue to accept new members this summer and throughout the fall. If interested in joining, please reach out to Laura Masbruch at lmasbruch@wwusd.org.
Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor and Banner Volunteer lmasbruch@wwusd.org
