Four teams of Gilman Middle and Upper School students competed in the FIRST Chesapeake FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics qualifier event on Saturday, January 21 at the JHU Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, Maryland.

In the initial round of 28 competing teams, DeJava, consisting of 15 sophomores and juniors, and Brogrammers, which had 15 freshmen and sophomores, both won four out of five matches, putting them in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Astronoughts ranked 15th, and Zapdos ranked 19th; both of these teams were made up of 12 eighth grade students.

DeJava was selected for second seed final alliance, and Brogrammers captained the third seed final alliance. Immediately, these two alliances were pitted against each other, DeJava winning the first match, Brogrammers the second, and DeJava the third. DeJava went on to play in the finals, and after three grueling matches, emerged victorious as part of the winning alliance.

The teams won the following awards and honors:

• Connect Award Winner: DeJava
• Final Alliance Winner: DeJava
• 3^rd Seed Final Alliance Captain: Brogrammers
• 2^nd Place Motivate Award: DeJava
• 3^rd Place Control Award: Brogrammers
• 3^rd Place Connect Award: Astronoughts

“We have had an incredible season, and I am so proud of these students!” said PK-12 Instructional Technology Coach Lynn Nichols. “They represented the School and supported their peers at every turn.”

A big thank you to Lynn Nichols, Katie Schmidt, Chris DiMenna, Colin Regan, and Tye Campbell. The students could not have done it without their support and hard work. Congratulations to all!