Middle School Robotics Club Wins World Championship in Programming Skills Challenge

Know a student or group of students who should be recognized? Scroll down for instructions on submitting a nomination.

Melrose Patch Whiz Kids of the Week

• The Melrose iRaiders Middle School VEX Club: Matt Mroz, Colin Hegarty, Kyle Yee, Abraham Zimmerman, and Joe Valente.
• School: , all eighth graders
• Accomplishment: Won the world championship in the Programming Skills Challenge at the VEX Robotics World Championship.

The following was submitted by coach and club advisor Kevin Hegarty:

At the VEX Robotics World Championship, the Melrose iRaiders Middle School VEX Club was the Middle School World Champion in a competition called the Programming Skills Challenge. In this event, teams program their own custom built robot to score as many points as it can in one minute in the VEX Roundup field, without driver control.

The iRaiders were the Middle School World Champion in this event, beating 103 middle school teams in the tournament.

In addition, the iRaiders placed 8th overall in this event, going against the other 103 middle school teams plus over 400 high school teams from around the globe.

We need nominations!

Each week, Melrose Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to danield@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's Name
• Nominator's E-Mail
• Whiz Kid's Name
• Whiz Kid's Age
• Whiz Kid's School
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment
• An explanation of the accomplishment (approximately 150-300 words).
• A photo, if available.