by Rebecca Berggren | Apr 10, 2024 | Blog, Central Valley
Congratulations to the 40 teams PLUS all the mentors, volunteers, sponsors, friends and family members from California and Chinese Taipei who participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition Central Valley Regional from March 21-24, 2024.
We’d like to extend an immense THANK YOU to all the sponsors, mentors and volunteers who contributed to this very successful Regional.
We hope you too had a memorable experience!
AWARDS
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.
- Team 1671, Buchanan Bird Brains from Clovis, CA
Deeply embedded in community and fostering trust throughout, their well-known brand is recognized at home and worldwide. Pre-K to launch, classroom to market they leave a trail for others to follow. In a flock of spectacularly high fliers, these young brains reach for the stars and soar beyond.
Engineering Inspiration
The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community. This team will advance to the Championships and receive a $5000 NASA grant toward registration.
- Team 840, Aragon Robotics Team from San Mateo, CA
This team stands out for their embrace of all. Empowering kids young and bold, with every circuit and story told. With the breadth of their programs and drive to include, we’re inspired to present this award to you.
Regional Winners
- Team 1323, MadTown Robotics from Madera, CA (Championship Qualifying Award)
- Team 5940, BREAD from Redwood City, CA (Championship Qualifying Award)
- Team 7589, Lishan Blue Magpie from Chinese Taipei (Championship Qualifying Award – wildcard)
Rookie All-Star
- Team 9400, BagelBytes from Santa Clara, CA (Championship Qualifying Award – wildcard)
For embracing FIRST, it found its call. A shining star, inspiring one and all! Its design, ambitious, a sight to behold! Innovation flourished, its story told. In Bytes and Bagels, its victory clear! So let us hail this Rookie All-Star this year!
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.
- Aaron L – Team 6947, Savage Tumaz
- Anish K – Team 6059, Systems Overload 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.
- Colin Warnes – Team 5817, Uni-Rex
Additional Awards
Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Central Valley Regional! See the list here.
by Rebecca Berggren | Mar 23, 2023 | Blog, Central Valley
The FIRST Robotics Competition Central Valley Regional, at the Fresno Convention Center from March 9-12, 2023, was a big success! There were 39 teams in attendance and the weekend was Charged Up!
Among the teams that came from all parts of California, we also had teams visiting from Arizona, Idaho, Mexico and Chinese Taipei. The teams had a special visit from Patti Poppe, the CEO of Pacific Gas & Electric Company. Patti and her husband Eric, along with matching funds from PG&E, donated $200,000 to Northern California FIRST events and teams, including 20 of the teams competing at the regional. And they announced they were committing to another $200,000 for the 2024 season!
The Central Valley Regional was also hosting several local FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST LEGO League Challenge and Explore teams, which included the a team that will be competing at the World Championship in Houston this April. There was even more excitement for teams when they visited the Air Force booth and got to talk with officers about the many opportunities that exist using the skills they learn through FIRST within the Air Force and Space Force.
The competition was filled with excitement and culminated with many awards to teams for their skills, talents, performance, outreach, dedication, and Gracious Professionalism at the event. In fact, 47 individuals were awarded an exclusive FIRST California Gracious Professional pin for being ‘Caught in the Act!’
We’d like to extend an immense THANK YOU to all the sponsors, mentors and volunteers who contributed to this very successful Regional.
We hope you too had a memorable experience at the Central Valley Regional!
LIST OF TEAMS ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!
The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Central Valley Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston, April 19-22, 2023
FIRST Impact Award
The FIRST Impact Award represents the true spirit of FIRST. It honors the team that best serves as a model for other teams to emulate and that embodies the goals of FIRST. It remains FIRST’s most prestigious team award. The FIRST Impact Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants, school, and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season or school year. The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST’s mission of transforming our culture. The recipient will be invited to the FIRST Championship where it will compete for the FIRST Impact Award against the winners from all the other qualifying events.
You can watch their Impact Award video here.
Engineering Inspiration
The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community. This team will advance to the Championships and receive a $5000 NASA grant toward registration.
This team’s dedicated outreach team strives to bring engineering and stem fields to underrepresented communities. They empower Girl Scouts and kids of all ages, those with learning disabilities and other nations through their robust outreach. Their sustained outreach efforts prove they are anything but inert.
- Team 840, Aragon Robotics from San Mateo, CA
Regional Winners
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.
- Anisha Shukla from Team 2135, Presentation Invasion
- Emilia Plancarte from Team 4400, Cerbotics
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.
You shared high praise for the accomplishments and dedication of your mentors and your teams. Based on your input, we now recognize the outstanding contributions of ONE mentor to the FIRST experience.
This nominee has dedicated over half their life to the FIRST mission. Their passion and commitment to their team and FIRST is unmatched. They work to make their team and their community more efficient and effective. This mentor works with nearly every part of their team from design, software, business, and graphic design inspiring their students to be well-rounded. He is an exceptional role model to students on their teams and to every team he works with.
Please join us in congratulating the 2023 Central Valley Regional Woodie Flowers FINALIST Award winner, Andrew Nabors, from Team 1671!
- Andrew Nabors from Team 1671, Buchanan Bird Brains
Additional Awards
Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Central Valley Regional! See the list here.
Instagram Highlights
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by Rebecca Berggren | May 4, 2022 | Blog, Central Valley
Congratulations to the 32 Teams PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the Central Valley FIRST Robotics Regional Competition from March 30 – April 2, 2022.
TEAMS ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!
The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Central Valley Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston, April 20-23, 2022.
Regional Chairman’s
The Chairman’s Award represents the true spirit of FIRST. It honors the team that best serves as a model for other teams to emulate and that embodies the goals of FIRST. It remains FIRST’s most prestigious team award. The Chairman’s Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants, school, and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season or school year. The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST’s mission of transforming our culture. The recipient will be invited to the FIRST Championship where it will compete for the Chairman’s Award against the winners from all the other qualifying events.
Engineering Inspiration
The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community. This team will advance to the Championships and receive a $5000 NASA grant toward registration.
Regional Winners
Regional Finalists
- Team 3970, Duncan Dynamics from Fresno, CA (wildcard)
Rookie All Star
- Team 8768, CTEC Titans from Fresno, CA (wildcard)
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.
- Amrit Singh from Team 5817
- Aarna Sanghai from Team 7539
Woodie Flowers
- Ramon Cuevas from Team 5817
Additional Awards
Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Central Valley Regional! See the list here.
Support
An immense THANK YOU to all the sponsors, mentors and volunteers who contributed to this very successful Regional.
We hope you too had a memorable experience at the Central Valley Regional!
by Rebecca Berggren | Oct 13, 2019 | Blog, Central Valley
Congratulations to the 49 teams from California, Utah and Chinese Taipei PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the 8th Annual Central Valley FIRST Robotics Regional!
ABC30
ADVANCING TO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOUSTON!!!
The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Central Valley Regional and earned their way to compete at the FIRST Championships in Houston in April.
Regional Chairman’s Award
Team 1678, Citrus Circuits from Davis, CA
The Chairman’s Award represents the true spirit of FIRST. It honors the team that best serves as a model for other teams to emulate and that embodies the goals of FIRST. It remains FIRST’s most prestigious team award. The Chairman’s Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants, school, and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season or school year. The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST’s mission of transforming our culture. The recipient will be invited to the FIRST Championship where it will compete for the Chairman’s Award against the winners from all the other qualifying events.
Engineering Inspiration
Team 585, Cyber Penguins from Tehachapi, CA
The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community. This team will advance to the Championships and receive a $5000 NASA grant toward registration.
Regional Winners
Team 1323, MadTown Robotics from Madera, CA
Team 1678, Citrus Circuits from Davis, CA
Team 7663, Sleuth Robotics from Fresno, CA
From Citrus Circuit’s Facebook page: A successful climb with two other robots to the third level, scoring a full 36 points during their second quarterfinals match.
Rookie All-Star Award
Team 7589 – Lishan Blue Magpies from Taipei Special Municipality, Chinese Taipei
This award celebrates a 1st year team demonstrating an early but strong partnership effort, implementing the mission of FIRST. Its winner understands what FIRST is really trying to accomplish and realizes that technical work is fun and challenging, made better by building a partnership among team, community and school. This is not an easy challenge for a rookie team but the judges want to recognize and reward one team that got it right.
Regional Finalists
(Advancing to Championships because of 2 Wild Cards)
Team 5026, Iron Panthers from Burlingam, CA
Team 1072, Harker Robotics from San Jose, CA
Dean’s List Finalist
FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Cyrus Najmi-Vannini from Team 3495, MindCraft Robotics
FIRST Dean’s List Finalist – Maya Kesapradist from Team 6241, CowTech
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.
Woodie Flowers Finalist Award
Mary Allen – Mentor for Team 6305, Stable Circuits
Additional Awards
Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining awards at the Central Valley Regional! See the list here.
Media Attention
ABC30
Photo Gallery
2019 Central Valley Regional
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We hope you too had a memorable experience at the Central Valley Regional. We’d love to hear your stories. Please consider sharing them with us here in the comments below or on our facebook page. Photo and video links welcome!
by Rebecca Berggren | Oct 6, 2013 | Blog, Central Valley, Featured News
Congratulations to ALL Teams, Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the Central Valley Regional and helped to create an exciting and memorable weekend. What a show! The following teams and individuals earned top honors at the Regional and will be going on to compete at the Championships in St. Louis in April. cheap iphone 8 case outlet cheap iphone xs case outlet We wish them the best of luck! Regional Chairman’s Award Team 1323, MadTown Robotics – Madera, CA The Central Valley Chairman’s Award represents the true spirit of FIRST. cheap iphone 8 case iphone 7 case outlet uk It honors the team that best serves as a model for other teams to emulate and that embodies the goals of FIRST. iphone xs case on sales iphone xr case on sales It remains FIRST’s most prestigious team award. cheap iphone xs case outlet The Chairman’s Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants, school, and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season or school year. cheap iphone xs case The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST’s mission of transforming our culture. iphone xs case outlet uk The recipient will be invited to the FIRST Championship where it will compete for the Chairman’s Award against the winners from all the other qualifying events. iphone 7 case outlet Here’s what the Judges had to say –
“Central Valley FIRST Robotics is successful because of veteran teams that step up to help with the work to develop FIRST in a new area. This year’s winner is one of those anchoring teams. iphone xr case outlet uk They have developed strong community partnerships including working with law enforcement in designing a robot for training in rough terrain. cheap iphone 8 case iphone 8 case outlet uk This team shows gracious professionalism to others both nationally and internationally by manufacturing machine parts to assist in the building of robots. iphone xr case outlet uk This team was instrumental in bringing a regional robotics competition to the central valley. outlet iphone xs case They have continued to develop Central Valley “FIRST” Robotics by co-sponsoring an off season event. Iphone 8 case They use this off-season event to introduce FIRST to rookie teams. This team truly demonstrates the core values of FIRST. outlet iphone xr case online cheap iphone 8 case outlet iphone 8 case for sale Congratulations to Team 1323 – MadTown Robotics!”
Regional Winners 
Team 295, Renevatio Granite Bay, CA Team 840, Aragon Robotics San Mateo, CA Team 1678, Citrus Circuits Davis, CA Woodie Flowers Finalist Award Dr. Devin Blizzard Mentor for Team 1422, The Neon Knights – Fresno, CA 
A few years after helping Dean Kamen create FIRST, Dr. cheap iphone xr case online William Murphy founded the Woodie Flowers Award with the intent to celebrate effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design. outlet iphone xr case At the FIRST Championship in St. iphone 8 case for sale Louis, the essays of this year’s finalists will be combined with previous finalists. One mentor will receive the Championship Woodie Flowers Award. Dr. outlet iphone xr case Blizzard had such a profound impact on the Central Valley over the past 15 years that two teams, Team 1422 The Neon Knights and Team 1671 The Buchanan Bird Brains nominated him for the Woodie Flowers Finalist Award. iphone xs case on sales You can read their essay here. iphone 7 case on sales Dr. iphone 7 case for sale Blizzard’s reflections on the Competition –
“Today we had a most memorable time at CV Regional FIRST Robotics Competition! I graciously thank all of my colleagues / students who nominated me.
FRC and FLL have provided me the unique honor of community building and getting to be part of so many kids’ lives over the last 15 years in both Silicon Valley and Central Valley.”
Dean’s List Finalist: Honoring FIRST Student Superstars FIRST Dean’s List Finalist #1 – Ofri Harlev, Team 4159 – San Francisco, CA FIRST Dean’s List Finalist #2 – Gurtinder Chahal, Team 1323 – Madera, CA 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. cheap iphone 7 case online 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. cheap iphone xr case FIRST Dean’s List Finalists will compete at the championship for the FIRST Dean’s List. iphone 7 case outlet uk Engineering Inspiration Team 1671, Buchanan Bird Brains – Clovis, CA The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community. cheap iphone xr case online This team will advance to the Championships and
receive a $5000 grant toward registration. iphone xs case for sale iphone xr case outlet uk Additional Awards Congratulations to the Teams and individuals that earned the remaining 17 awards at the Central Valley Regional! See the list here. FIRST Impressions Throughout each day, we saw numerous first hand examples of FIRST values and qualities – Gracious Professionalism, Coopertition, Critical Thinking, Team Work and Leadership to name a few. iphone xr case outlet uk iphone 7 case outlet One story of many that we’d like to share is a great example of how engineering skills combined with critical thinking, team work, professionalism, the ability to work well under pressure and support from mentors and volunteers saved the day. iphone xs case for sale iphone 8 case outlet 
Things got really hot during Match 35 when Team 1422’s spike for their compressor malfunctioned and ignited. The students handled the situation with the utmost grace and professionalism and managed to replace the spike in 15 minutes and 48 seconds (they timed it!) and did not miss a single match. iphone 8 case on sales Luckily, due to the location of the spike, nothing else on their robot was damaged. We hear they intend to frame the burned spike. iphone xr case on sales Their mentor shared this with us –
“Overall, this has been the most memorable experience for our team; it has really motivated and inspired my students. outlet iphone xr case online We could not be more thankful for all of the highs and lows for today. iphone 7 case on sales We really would like to thank all of the inspectors and officials that helped us diagnose and save our robot. iphone xr case outlet uk iphone 7 case We owe them all of our victories. cheap iphone xs case outlet iphone xs case outlet uk Without those volunteers, who knows what could have happened.”
Share Your Stories! We hope you too had a profound experience at the Central Valley Regional. outlet iphone xr case We’d love to hear your stories. outlet iphone 7 case cheap iphone xs case online Please consider sharing them with us here in the comments below or on our facebook page.
