Newark high school robotics team celebrates first-ever regional championship victory
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- A high school robotics team from Newark, New Jersey is celebrating a breakthrough moment.
Students from Malcolm X Shabazz High School have captured their first-ever regional championship, marking a major milestone for a program built on teamwork, innovation and determination.
On Tuesday, the Bulldog Bots gave Eyewitness News a look at their award-winning creation.
The robot, the "FRC 87-06," was built, tested, taken to competition and flat out won. The Bulldog Bats worked six days a week, and well after bedtime sometimes.
"Not only did they build the robot that competed in our first event three weeks ago, they came to me right after the event and wanted to perform better and they wanted a redesign," said Nick Ferriero, lead coach of the Bulldog Bots. "So, it's true engineering at its finest."
They've learned from pushing themselves.
"Our robots from 2024 and 2025 didn't make it this far. But this year, we made sure we're going to win. Experience goes a long way, so now we're more experienced. Our team, we have a lot more dedicated members," said Laila Marcelino, the Bulldog Bots team captain.
The bot competed in Mount Olive, New Jersey, against several other schools. FRC 87-06 had to gather balls and score the most.
The win catapulted the team to the next level of competition. They put their hearts into the project.
"It's an absolute passion. It's a love that I have to help these kids get to where they're going to get and this year they broke the ceiling and went to a whole new level this year," Ferriero said.
They asked for shout outs to assistant coach Joshua, volunteer experts Julia and John, Picatinny Arsenal and Department of Defense STEM program. It was plenty of support as this team of 13 looks to bring more wins home to Shabazz High School.
"We really had to put in our own time effort and money into getting everything working. So, it's really been the dedication of the team that got everything working on time," said Malcolm X Shabazz High School student Khyla Bobbsemple.
Next stop is Lehigh University in April, which will hopefully lead to another win for Newark.
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