Road to Worlds: Robotics Team Qualifies, Mentor Named Finalist

By Alec Gupte ’26
Media & Branding Subteam Co-lead

After four months of hard work and intense competition, SCH Robotics Team 1218 spent this past weekend at Lehigh University for the FIRST Mid-Atlantic District Championship, where, despite some setbacks, they qualified for Worlds, and their mentor Eileen Larkin was named a finalist for FIRST’s prestigious Woodie Flowers Award.

Throughout the first two days of competition, 1218 won 7 of their 14 qualification matches with their robot, GEODE, placing them 18th overall and primed to be part of a formidable alliance for the playoffs. During alliance selection, they were chosen by Team 1089, Mercury, from Hightstown, New Jersey, and they rounded out the alliance with Team 2590, Nemesis, from Robbinsville, New Jersey. 

Unfortunately, playoffs did not go the way the team hoped: facing scores of 752 (a record for the region!) and 501 for their first and second matches, respectively, Team 1218 and their alliance were eliminated after two matches.

The highlight of the competition was the announcement of the Woodie Flowers Award, named after the co-founder of FIRST, which celebrates a team mentor who, according to FIRST, “leads, inspires, and empowers using effective communication skills.” On Saturday morning, SCH teacher and mentor Eileen Larkin, nominated by team members through an essay submission, was named a finalist.

“We chose to nominate Ms. Larkin not only because of her deep connections and impressive work in FIRST, but also because she is simply an incredible mentor,” said Leela Gilbert-Gokhale, Team 1218 Outreach subteam co-lead, about the nomination and award. “It was amazing to see her win after all the work we had put into writing the essay for her and all the work she has put into our team.”

"I'm honored and honestly a bit overwhelmed to be named a Woodie Flowers Finalist Award Winner," said Larkin. "FIRST challenged me to grow, take risks, and believe in myself. If I can pass even a fraction of that on to my students, I'll consider that a life well spent."

After the chaos of the competition, the results were in: Team 1218 officially qualified for the FIRST World Championship. They will be competing in Houston, TX, from April 30 through May 2, vying to win it all. #OMGRobots