The FIRST Robotics Competition Los Angeles Regional, held March 13-16, 2025, featured 44 teams and 1,300+ students from California.
The Los Angeles Regional was extra special this year as we celebrated 25 seasons of FIRST in LA! From thrilling matches to nostalgic moments, the weekend was packed with energy, excitement, and community spirit.
Here are some highlights from the celebration:
- 25th Season Celebration: We marked a quarter-century of FIRST in Los Angeles with pride, honoring the legacy and growth of our incredible region.
- Game Piece Museum: A walk down memory lane! Attendees explored a showcase of FRC game pieces from the past 25 years.
- 25-Year Trivia: Teams tested their knowledge of LA Regional history with fun trivia challenges throughout the event.
- Alumni Mixer: FIRST alumni (and soon to be alumni) reconnected over bingo and sweet treats.
Thank you to our teams, mentors, volunteers, alumni, and sponsors for helping us honor 25 years of innovation, collaboration, and Gracious Professionalism.
Thank you Matt and Lily for these incredible photos! Please considering giving photo credit (tag) to @mattbeardphotos when you share.
Feel free to download and share any of these photos. You can tag FIRST California at @firstroboticscalifornia on Instagram and use hashtags #FIRSTinCA, #morethanrobots, #omgrobots, #REEFSCAPE and #FIRSTDIVE.
LIST OF TEAMS ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!
The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the San Diego Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston, April 16-19, 2025.
FIRST Impact Award
The FIRST Impact Award is the most prestigious award at FIRST, it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST.
The FIRST Impact Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season. The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST’s mission of transforming our culture. The recipient team will be invited to a FIRST Championship where it will compete for the FIRST Impact Award against winners from other qualifying events.
This team has taken a deep DIVE into what it means to create an impact. They started small at school, then expanded their reach by training new coaches and securing funds to grow the FIRST network across their school district. With confidence, persistence, and professionalism, they have inspired everyone from toddlers to city officials. They may be NERDY, but this small robotics team is certainly mighty!
- Team 5089, Robonerds from Los Angeles
Engineering Inspiration
The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school or organization, and community. Inspiring others to respect science and technology requires passion, knowledge and commitment, and we recognize these qualities through this award. This team will advance to the Championships.
This team’s strong media presence SPARKS the discovery of FIRST and STEM. Their yearn for knowledge beyond robotics IGNITES hope. Through running summer camps and creating many robotics teams in their country, they flamed of inspiration for many. They are passing the torch to the next generations. “BONNE CHANCE!”
- Team 5553, Robo’Lyon
Regional Winners Qualifying for Championship
- Team 9408, Warbots
- Team 1197, Torbots
The Dean’s List Finalist
In an effort to recognize the leadership and dedication of FIRST’s most outstanding FRC students, the Kamen family sponsors an award for selected top students known as the FIRST Dean’s List. This award celebrates a student’s outstanding leadership and effectiveness in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering and engineers, both within their school, as well as their community. FIRST Dean’s List Finalists will compete at the championship for the FIRST Dean’s List.
- Destiny R, Team 597, Wolverines
- Eylul D, Team 7840, Emoner Robotics
Woodie Flowers Finalist Award
FIRST stands apart from other competitions in STEM and sports due to the FIRST Ethos of Gracious Professionalism, the concept of Coopertition, and the commitment to the FIRST Core Values. The guiding force behind these principles was Dr. Woodie Flowers. Dr. William Murphy, Jr., who was instrumental in creating the concept of FIRST with Dean Kamen, recognized the unique perspective, wisdom, and communication style that Woodie brought to the FIRST Robotics Competition.
In honor of Woodie, Dr. Murphy founded the Woodie Flowers Award in 1996. He recognized that the FIRST ethos would be carried forward by our FIRST mentors and sought to celebrate those mentors who demonstrate the leadership, ethical behavior, and communication skills exemplified by Woodie. Woodie believed “societies get the best of what they celebrate”.
Being recognized by students, through nomination essays, makes this honor very meaningful to mentors. It is truly an honor for a mentor to be nominated for this award.
This mentor teaches seeing the big picture to assist with breaking down barriers within the team and in the process building well rounded individuals. Success comes from systems and creating the ability to check in with each other. No matter the team, this mentor is always field side looking to offer assistance to teams after they leave the field.
- Andrew Kempen, Team 4201, The Vitruvian Bots
Additional Awards
Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Los Angeles Regional! See the list here.