RoboKnights Spokesperson Dexter Williams Talks About The Team

While participating in the US FIRST Robotics Competition, all teams can agree that we face trials, tribulations, successes, failures, consequences and rewards. But in the end, the finished product seems to make all of these obstacles and sacrifices worth it. This is the credo of Team 1446, The Robo Knights. From the beginning, we encountered issues. First off, in our school, Robotics is not a major part of the curriculum. Most of the students found it hard to believe that they had what it took to make a robot. So, we invited students to our NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) meeting every Thursday. We spoke to parents and other teachers about what we do during report card conferences. We created pamphlets to pass out and hang up all around the school. We involved the Engineering Academy classes at our school. We found that the most effective way to spread the message about FIRST Robotics was to demonstrate what our previous robots are capable of. We held demonstrations with our two previous robots to catch the attention of students who may have been hesitant to join. And, our Smart Lab (where we work) is always open to curious minds. Anyone is allowed to enter and ask around. We received many memberships to NSBE and the FIRST Robotics team.

Dealing with FIRST, it is nearly impossible to leave without some improvement in your life. After beginning production on the robot, a grade requirement of at least 2.5 is required to stay on the team. This is to ensure that no student’s grades slip in any subject. The Robotics team members helped each other by tutoring anyone who needed assistance on weekends and after school. I am happy to report that not one student has fallen below the 2.5 GPA scale. All of the team members have gone above and beyond the expectations of FIRST and are able to contribute more to class and life on the whole. Teachers noticed great improvement in the team’s work and participation. Four students on the Robotics team are in the Early College Program at our school— a program in cooperation with UDC that allows high school students from grades 9-12 to take college classes taught by real professors for real college credits.

Robotics team members learn to become independent thinkers with the “Ask three before me” rule. This rule states that whenever one of us has a question, that person should ask three people around them for the answer before they seek assistance from mentors or adults. Mrs. Shelton (our facilitator) came up with this rule. It helps us to look to one another for help. In our first year, it was a little trying at times, but we eventually learned to trust the words of our peers and we now are better because of that. This rule is a great benefit because we don’t need to be surrounded by adults every minute. We are more independent when we work and can dedicate personal time amongst the students to finish what we need to get done. Without Mrs. Shelton helping us to learn this rule, we would not be where we are today.

Many sponsors pass through our school daily and one thing that all of them seem transfixed on is the Robotics team. Many of them are in near disbelief that so few students could achieve so much and be so hard working. We are one of the prime highlights of our school—one of the greatest honors we can receive. The fact that we can influence people to change their beliefs as to what kids of our class and race are capable of, tells us that we are achieving. Now, when people walk in our neighborhood and see our school, they don’t just see another bad high school in the “hood”, they see a school where the students work hard to show their achievements.

There are many reasons for other teams to look up to and emulate the RoboKnights. We are a team in every sense of the word. When one team member falls short, the team falls short. We all understand this and we work extremely hard to make sure everyone is given the assistance they need to do their job. Imagine a machine with all the gears and parts working together to move fluidly and perform at maximum capacity. Now, if one of those gears breaks off or is taken out, then the machine cannot move at maximum capacity. That’s how we operate. We are the gears for our team. We work together in unity to get our robot to operate.

Our team is family. We are as close as close can be. We’re not perfect. What family is? But deep down I know we all care for and want nothing but the best for one another. We have our matriarch and patriarch, (Mrs. Shelton and Mr. Shelton) who like all matriarchs and patriarchs are wise, humble and love each of us with the passion that one would have for their own children and a toughness that lets us know that they knowand expect the excellence we’re capable of. We have the dad and mom like any family (Mr. Davis and Ms. Shauger) who look after and assist each of us in our endeavors with FIRST and in our lives. Then there are the brothers and sisters of FIRST. We play together, work together, disagree on some things, but are close just the same. You see, FIRST to us is more than a competition or just a way to improve our engineering skills. It’s a life experience that gives each of us new morals and/or credos to carry with us as we move on in our lives.

The impact of FIRST extends far beyond the competition. In order for a team to truly be successful, they need to establish a bond that stays with them throughout the years. Many of my best networks have been established through NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) and the Robotics team. Many of my best friends are involved closely with the robot and I believe that shows through our cooperation. Many of the FIRST alumni who have graduated come back just to assist and support the present team. We’ve received compliments from many of the executives who pass through our school, just for our hard work and dedication to our goals. While winning would be nice, that’s not why we come. We come to establish future partnerships, experience new cultures and just to enjoy ourselves.

Team 1446, AKA the Robo Knights, doesn’t have the largest team. We may not have the nicest shirts or the coolest designed robots. We may not look like the most dedicated team around, but never judge a book by its cover. Many months of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this robot. The sacrifice that my team and I have given to the FIRST experience cannot be stressed enough. We love what we do and we know that our dedication this year will show all who witness that the Robo Knights have gone through the trials and tribulations, the ups and downs, to face the consequences and rewards with open minds and wide smiles. We are a team, a family, a machine that moves fluidly to show all what FIRST is truly about.