Vex Robotics is an international program that allows students from elementary schools through college to design, build, program, and drive robots in competitions around the world. In Lake County, alone, there are hundreds of students who participate on teams at the elementary, middle school, and high school level.
The Cypress Ridge Robotics teams have had an amazing 2021 – 22 season, which included winning the North/ Central Florida VEX Championship and having five of their six teams qualify to go to the VEX Robotics World Championship finals. Twenty students and their parents will travel to Dallas, TX to complete on May 10 – 12 with other teams from across the United States and around the world.
The Cypress Ridge coach Virginia Schoenthaler is excited for her students to be afforded this opportunity. “They have worked hard all year, designing, testing, and redesigning their robots. The lack of international teams who are able to travel added some spots for US teams and we are happy to take advantage of it.” She added that travel and registration are expensive.
It will cost around $6000.00/ team to participate”. The program is supported by club fees and competitions, the Cypress Ridge PTO, the Lake County Education Foundation, and the Lake County School Board. In addition, children are working to raise money by asking for donations from friends, families and businesses, setting up in front of local stores and restaurants, and selling everything from raffle tickets and pizzas to WonderWorks passes, and Pancake Breakfast tickets.
Support this team by making a tax-free donation to the Cypress Ridge PTO, (memo Robotics – 350 East Avenue, Clermont 34711) or through VENMO@Virginia-Schoenthaler. Contact Mrs. Schoenthaler for more information at schoenthalerv@lake.k12.fl.us or 352-394-6633.
In addition to Cypress Ridge, Lake County has teams going to worlds from East Ridge Middle School, Eustis Middle School, Tavares Middle School, Minneola Charter, and Pinecrest Lakes Academy.
