On Saturday, November 15, twenty-one FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams from across southern Wisconsin gathered at Whitewater High School for a full day of fun and competition, hosted by Ferradermis. The Washington Brick Layers, coached by Val Troxel and Chris Nate, the Lincoln Brick Layers, coached by Lisa Kaminski, the Lakeview Brick Layers, coached by Sara Brautigam, and the WMS Iron Dragons Red and WMS Iron Dragons Silver, coached by Kerry Ramsden and Grace Fanshaw, were all able to compete at this event.
The students were busy all day, rehearsing their presentations and doing practice runs with their robots in the pits. Each team spent 30 minutes with a panel of judges, sharing their robot design process and their innovation project. The judges also talked with the students about how their team embodies the FIRST core values of discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun. In their down time, students took part in an elaborate scavenger hunt designed by Vivian Harris to match the season’s archeologically themed game. They also enjoyed playing catch with the high school team’s robot which was tossing foam rings from the 2024 game high in the air. The middle school FIRST Tech Challenge team added an archeological dig for 3D printed season-themed items.
The Washington team of Damian Ramirez, Clara Meinel, Elizabeth Erdmann, Tanner Marshall, Landon Tranel, Elin Zheng, Everett Taylor, Hazel Gamboeck, Rozina Kejo, and Evan Kaina-Baier (not pictured) became the first ever Whitewater FLL team to advance to the Sectional round. They will now compete at Mukwonago High School on Saturday, December 13, for a chance to advance to State.
Over the course of the season, Ferradermis members volunteered as mentors with various teams including Erison Dreksler at Washington, Vivian Harris at Lakeview, Sam Raupp at Lincoln, and Mason Genung at the middle school. At the event on November 15, thirty-four different high school team members filled volunteer roles from queuers to team escorts, to refs and emcees. The team would like to thank the numerous parents, WUSD Robotics Booster Club members, community members, Ferradermis alumni, and mentors from other high school teams who volunteered throughout the day to make this event possible.
Whitewater High School will next play host to a FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifier with 24 teams, including the WMS Iron Dragons FTC, on Sunday, December 7. The event is free and open to the public.
Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
