A Winning Season for VA Robotics

Over his three years in the robotics program, four-year senior Oliver Walsh-Fischetti ’25 has witnessed its growth and evolution firsthand. Reflecting on the team’s progress, he notes how their plan at competitions has become more structured and strategic. “The style in which we approach these competitions has changed a lot,” he explains. “During my first year on the team, it was more free-formed where we started with design just for the sake of designing, and then thought about how it might become a reality. Over the past two years, the focus has shifted to first understanding how things could be done, then determining how we could apply that knowledge to actually bring our ideas to life.” Oli ’25 is proud of how the team has performed in recent seasons, especially this year, and he is excited to see how the program continues to grow in the future.

On February 8, 2025, the team competed at the Vermont State FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Championships at South Burlington High School, delivering an impressive performance. Oli ’25 credited the team’s success in part to the drivers, who had significantly more practice time this season—an extra four to six days compared to last year. This additional preparation proved crucial, as this year’s competition placed a greater emphasis on driver control than in previous seasons. 

Another key contributor was four-year senior Raymond Feng ’25, whose exceptional coding work played a pivotal role in the team’s performance. His autonomous programming put 60 points on the board for The Wired Cats, giving them the highest autonomous average score in the state. Mr. Echanis reflected on how the season’s work, beginning all the way back in September, culminated in a well-thought-out final design that had been tested and refined over time. Their efforts were further validated when they won the design award—an achievement that stood out, as the team has typically placed second or third in this category. 

First-year member of the team, Jacob Studin ’28, got a firsthand look at the fast-paced and problem-solving nature of competitive robotics. Working as part of the “pit crew,” he played a key role in keeping the robot running such as stepping in to change out a battery. One of the most intense moments came right before the first match when the robot seized up, forcing the team to quickly take it apart, replace key components, and put it back together just in time. “At the competition, it was really cool to see everything that was going on and how everything worked,” explains Jacob ’28. For Jacob ’28 it was an exciting and eye-opening introduction to the world of robotics.

Even though many VA students are committed to demanding winter sports like freeskiing, snowboarding, nordic, varsity hockey, or doubling up on JV teams, they still find ways to support the robotics team through their involvement in the robotics classes. These students may not be part of the after-school team, but their contributions in class play a crucial role in the team’s success. Throughout the season, they generate innovative ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and refine designs that ultimately benefit the competition robot. Their input highlights how the  collaborative nature of robotics at VA extends beyond those photographed with the trophy, as many students contribute in different ways to drive the team’s achievements.

Securing sponsorships and promoting the team are key aspects of the entrepreneurship side of robotics at VA. This year, the team has been working to expand its sponsorship base, with businesses InnoAgg, Chroma Technology Corp, Comcast Corporation already supporting their efforts. Fundraising remains a priority as they seek additional sponsors to help grow the program. Beyond financial backing, team member Luke Pennell ’26 has also been focused on increasing the team’s visibility by updating the Instagram feed (you can follow them at @ftc_8304_wiredcats) and capturing moments from competitions, ensuring that their achievements and hard work are shared with the broader community.

Community involvement and giving back are also central to the team’s mission. The team recently met with Susan Yao, who runs a homeschool collective in Brattleboro, VT, to help set up a FIRST LEGO® League (a program that introduces STEM to children ages 4-16 through fun, exciting hands-on learning) program for younger students. In addition, the team is exploring ways to collaborate with local elementary and middle schools, including bringing their robot to Saxtons River Elementary School to spark early interest in robotics. By engaging younger students, the team is not only enriching the community but also helping to build a strong foundation for the future of robotics at VA and beyond.