Q: Why did you join robotics?
A: “I joined robotics because I did it in middle school. A lot of my friends from middle school joined robotics … I had a lot of older friends in middle school that were seventh graders when I was in sixth grade … I met a lot of older friends … so when they … graduated and joined Wildstang, it felt really natural for me to join just to continue being with them and I really enjoyed doing it in middle school so I felt like I should try the high school version.”
Q: What is your favorite part of being in this program?
A: “My favorite part of being in this program is the relationships you build, not only with my peers who are all amazing, they’re all really smart and driven people. I think it’s important to be friends with really smart, driven people because it helps you become smart and driven, but also with adults like mentors on the team and coaches. I feel like I’ve learned a lot from them, not only engineering stuff … like real world lessons from them … I always felt really free to talk to them and take their advice … Building that relationship with older mentors is really important for your success.”
Q: What was it like to go down to Texas for robotics?
A: “I’ve been going every year, so since freshman year; this is my fourth time. Honestly the shock never wears off. It’s just so fun to go down there. It’s like a trip with all my best friends and it’s like a business trip honestly. When we go there we’re having fun and whatever, but as soon as the competition starts, we … lock in. … It’s just a lot of fun … Everyone is important to the team and important to the success, but then when we get back to the hotel, we’re all having fun with each other because we’re really good friends.”
Q: Do you have a favorite memory from Wildstang?
A: “Going to the boardwalk this year [in Texas] we went on like all the rides and we almost threw up. It was really fun. Competing with my friends is really fun … [Another memory is] winning our first regional. Our team is split up into two teams which are the freshman sophomore team and the junior senior team … This year was the first year I’ve personally ever won a regional event.”
Q: What will you miss the most about this program?
A: “My friends. I’m leaving behind a lot of juniors and all the mentors I’ll miss a lot. Also I think it’s just like having something to do. I’m literally there 24 hours a week and now that it’s over … I don’t feel busy anymore. I have so much time. I don’t even know what to do with myself. I’m so used to getting home, rushing straight to Wildstang, coming home doing all my homework and immediately going to sleep. Now I have time to relax and it feels really weird.”
