Classmates, teachers, parents, and community leaders filled the Reeds Spring Intermediate School gym on April 26 to send students off in style to the VEX Robotics World Championship. Reeds Spring has five teams, 21 students, that will compete in Dallas, Texas from May 1-3.
The VEX robotics program helps students build innovation, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving skills. Judges score competitors on teamwork, driving skills, and programming skills.
The Reeds Spring students qualified for the world championship through a state tournament. The kids range in age from fourth grade to eighth grade.
Here are the members of the five teams:
Nate Waters, Gracie Colon, Jameso Staugaard, and Nathan Dysart (6th Grade)
Jax Ratliff, Zoey Viola, Edie Jones, and Adi Pate (5th Grade)
Abri Climer, Wren Stever, Elliott Linegar, and Madden McFarland (5th Grade)
Alexis Lanham, Ava Schneider Behn, Jessie Cloud, Katiri Gray, and Kiersten Kincaid (4th-5th Grade)
Ethan McKinney, Hailey Barber, Taylor Lanham, and Will Carpenter (7th-8th Grade)
The teams are coached by Keith Kramer and Robin Verheyen.
The send-off celebration included proclamations from Governor Parson, Senator Eric Schmitt, and State Rep. Brad Hudson. The mayors of Branson West and Kimberling City also attended to show their support.
