For the first time, Mission CISD (Consolidated Independent School District) had junior high school students compete in robotics Sumo-Bot challenge at the annual Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week (HESTEC) held at The University of Texas Pan American (UTPA). These first-timers beat out many other junior high and high school teams to finish in the top five. Students from as far away as Laredo participated in the robotics day events.
The competition involved 60 teams made up of middle schools and high schools. Out of those 60 teams, only 15 were middle school teams. Mission CISD was represented in this competition by two teams comprised of migrant students from Alton Memorial Jr. High School, K. White Jr. High School, and R. Cantu Jr. High School.
Both Mission CISD teams advanced through the sweet 16 and into the elite 8. One of the teams continued into the final four. The two teams were the only two middle school teams to finish in the top five of the competition. The Mission CISD South team placed fourth. The Mission CISD North team placed fifth.
Representing Mission CISD Middle School North were: Laurencio Barrera, AMJH; Destany Martinez, AMJH; Kevin Maldonado, AMJH; Giselle Low, RCJH; Robert Low, RCJH.
Representing Mission CISD South were: Nancy Olvera, AMJH; Tyresse Lopez, KWJH; Kysela Garcia, AMJH; Damian Gutierrez, AMJH; Brianda Grimaldo, RCJH.
The teams were led by coaches Jesus Barrera, Jorge Garcia, Robert Granados, Sammy Rivera.
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