Highland Prep West's VEX Robotics team, Motormasters (Team 25099A), delivered a standout performance at the recent MHP 12th Annual VEX Robotics Tournament, capturing the prestigious Design Award. This achievement was driven by a dynamic five-member crew: seniors Gavin Aldrich and Michael Sullivan, junior Francisco Milan, and sophomores Fredy Gamez and Ronan Penner. The team operated with precision-tuned synergy, featuring Aldrich as driver and builder, Sullivan as coder and notetaker, Milan and Gamez as driving coaches and builders, and Penner as a dedicated builder. Together, they transformed complex mechanical concepts into a high-performing reality on the competition floor.
The Design Award is one of the program's most rigorous honors, requiring a professional and disciplined approach to the Engineering Design Process. Team 25099A secured the win by ranking at the top of the engineering notebook rubric, presenting a clear and exhaustive record of their iterative journey from initial sketches to the final robot. During the team interview, the Motormasters showcased their ability to explain intricate game strategies and resource management with exceptional communication and teamwork. By proving that their physical robot was perfectly consistent with their documented designs, the team exemplified the high-level professionalism and engineering rigor demanded by VEX Robotics and the REC Foundation.