Our team traveled to Escanaba from March 2nd through March 5th to attend our first of two district events. Thursday was spent setting up the pit, and getting Gigabot (our robot) weighed and inspected. Let's just say the inspection was quite informative.

Pictured above:

Front row: Jana Stepp(Mentor), Stephanie Oakes, Kaiden Wouters, Lewsi Benton (Mentor) Middle row: Alex Clarke, Jack Lukach, Chase Morejon, Kassidy Stepp, Patrick Benton Back Row: Zach Stepp (Mentor), Kraig Stepp (Mentor), Nathan Stormer, Clayton Collier, Larson Yates, Leilah Kard, David Dion, Axel Raybourn, Stanely Merwin, Kelly Green ( Mentor) Not pictured Mark Benard ( Mentor)

Friday starts the day up and off to the event at 7:50 am. Opening Ceremonies at 9 am and onto playing the first day of qualification matches. After the last qualifying match of the day, the team members perform any needed repairs and take some practice runs and head back to the hotel at 9 pm for a quick swim and some dinner. It makes for a long but fun day.

Saturday starts off with the remainder of the qualifying matches. Once the qualifying matches are over, the rankings come out and the top 8 teams become alliance captains. These captains choose two teams to complete their alliance for the semi-finals. We qualified to be Alliance Captain #8. We made it to the 4th round of the 5 semi-final matches before being knocked out by the top alliance.

We ranked 8th out of the 38 teams at the event. We ranked 38th out of the 181 teams for the State of Michigan that competed this weekend.

Our team was honored by being awarded the Gracious Professionalism Award.

The following is a brief definition of Gracious Professionalism for FIRST Inspires.

"Celebrates outstanding demonstration of FIRST Core Values such as continuous Gracious Professionalism and working together both on and off the playing field.

Definition of Gracious Professionalism

Gracious Professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRST. It’s a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.
with Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition, and mutual gain are not separate notions.

Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid treating anyone like losers. No chest-thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended."

Our team was often found assisting in setting up, and helping teams facing technical, mechanical, or programming issues at the event.

We would like to thank our wonderful sponsors:
Kalitta Air, Sunrise Realty, Phoenix Composites, Oscoda Rotary, State Farm, B&B Construction, Wurtsmith Air Museum, Cooper Standard, and Dudley's Diner!

I am so proud of our team for all of their effort and hard work!! It was a great weekend!

Jana Stepp

High School FRC Team 7250 Robotics Coach

Oscoda Area High School

OHS Robotics Team 7250 Escanaba District Results are in!

All-Star Band 2023