Jed Wandland was named the Indiana State Robotics Mentor of the Year.

SYRACUSE — Two of the 10 Wawasee VEX Robotics teams qualified for the world championships April 25-28 in Louisville.

Team 574F Valkyrie of freshmen Vanessa Wright and Taylor Fiedeke were ranked fifth overall and beat the sixth ranked alliance to qualify during the Indiana VEX Robotics Championships Saturday, March 10, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. They then defeated the second place alliance to make it to the finals where they lost in a climactic battle.

Team 574C Centurion of Joe Kelsheimer, Nick Murphy, Evan Rassi and Micah Rassi partnered with 574J Xerxes of Ethan Hays, Aaron McKinney, Nathan Smith and Braxton Studabaker for quarterfinals matches but were eliminated by the first place alliance after three rounds. But Centurion is still ranked second in the world skills standings and has been invited to the world championships too.

In addition, a middle school Team 574H Iron Knight of Jossie Coy, Colten Edgar and Sarah Yoder made it into the round of 16 in the middle school division where after battling for three rounds were eliminated by the 10th ranked alliance.

The world championships will be held at the Louisville Exposition Center and will include approximately 600 high school teams from 40 countries.

Mentor Of The Year

Robotics teacher Jed Wandland of Wawasee High School was named Indiana State Robotics Mentor of the Year at the state robotics tournament.

This award is presented to a teacher who shows true leadership and dedication to their group of students. The winner continually exceeds expectations to ensure a safe, enjoyable and educational experience for all students and also inspires, motivates and educates students in a positive, enthusiastic and challenging atmosphere.