New North Marion Middle School Team Heads to State Robotics Tournament

By Jillian Daley

The brand-new North Marion Middle School Voltmasters robotics team has qualified for a state championship next month in Eugene.

During a robotics tournament in February, the North Marion team placed third and scored enough points to compete at the VEX State Robotics Championship on March 12 in Eugene. 

“It was really cool and fun to do,” says sixth-grader Alexis Lingmann, one of the four Middle School Voltmasters. “I started jumping up in the air, excited.”

At a February 12 competition, two-team alliances faced off to maneuver robots through certain tasks, such as moving heavy weights. The North Marion, seeded as fourth, aligned with Molalla High School to land third place. 

“It felt really good to win third because we’re new,” says sixth-grader Mari Bonser, one of the four Middle School Voltmasters.

The team, which came together this past fall after in-person school began again, includes Alexis, Mari, seventh-grader Johnny Hofstetter and eighth-grader London Swank.

Middle School VEX Robotics Class Teacher and Club Adviser Craig Johnston says that the four Voltmasters “fought hard against the first-place team in the semi-finals with true teamwork.” 

Although there are other types of robotics competition, North Marion competes in VEX, which is a brand name like Kleenex and not an acronym. There are VEX competitions for all ages.

Each VEX robotics club has a name, and individual teams within the club are assigned numbers. In North Marion, the Middle School team is 98500A and the North Marion Voltmasters Club  includes five High School teams and one Middle School team.  Each team also tends to name its robot. The Middle School's robot is dubbed MS Might.

Sherie Moran, the High School robotics coach, says that she has been impressed with the Middle School team's "might and determination to do well their very first year. I am excited to see what they do at their first state competition!"

The Middle School team spent countless hours designing, building, programming, and perfecting MS Might.

“The robot wasn’t very impressive until I changed it,” London says.

“—Finally,” interjects Johnny.

London wasn’t always so intent on improving the ‘bot but then inspiration sparked.

“In the beginning, this didn’t amuse me that much,” London continues. “I didn’t care. Now, it’s like —”

“‘You’re doing it wrong!’” finishes Alexis, attempting to imitate her teammate’s deeper voice.

London smiles and so does the whole team.

To share a story with the North Marion School District, email Communications Specialist Jillian Daley at jillian.daley@nmarion.k12.or.us.