P-CCS robotics team heads to statewide competition after winning district contest

Lightning Robotics also wins top award for efforts to promote science in the community

CANTON, Mich. – Plymouth-Canton Community Schools (P-CCS) is going to the FIRST Robotics state competition in April after making history by winning the highest team award at the district-level contest.

The P-CCS Lightning Robotics team won its district competition at Belleville High School on March 15, taking home the FIRST Impact Award. The award honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate in transforming the culture in ways that inspires respect for science and technology. In addition to the district victory, P-CCS won the West Michigan District competition at Grand Valley State University March 20-22, going 12-0 in the qualification round and 5-0 in the playoffs. In the event at GVSU, Canton High School junior Julia Fenstermacher was the district Dean's list winner for demonstrating leadership and commitment to FIRST values and effectiveness at increasing awareness about robotics, among other criteria.

P-CCS Lightning Robotics will now compete for the state championship at Saginaw Valley State University on April 3-5.

“Congratulations to our Lightning Robotics team for showcasing our district’s commitment to science, technology, engineering and math both in the classroom and in the competitive arena,” P-CCS Superintendent Dr. Monica L. Merritt said. “We are proud of our students and grateful to our tremendous team of teachers, staff, families and community partners for their amazing support. We look forward to cheering on our Lightning Robotics team as they compete to be state champs.”

At Belleville, the Lighting Robotics went 11-1 in qualification matches and held the No. 1 seed throughout the competition. In the playoff stage, the Lightning Robotics were 5-0.

“The students put in a lot of hours and hard work,” said Jay Obsniuk, Canton High School teacher and lead robotics instructor. “This is an incredible combination of students working together with a comprehensive plan and executing it with pride. My greatest joy is seeing the way students collaborate together as a team during the competition.”

At the FIRST Robotics competition in Belleville High School, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools’ robot puts a PVC pipe into what is supposed to be a coral reef. The big green balls represent algae. “Water” was the theme for district-level competition.

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools’ Lightning Robotics team celebrates winning the West Michigan District FIRST competition at Grand Valley State University in Allendale.

Canton High School junior Julia Fenstermacher was Dean's list winner at the West Michigan District FIRST competition at Grand Valley State University