On Saturday, January 10, local FIRST Robotics teams came together to launch and celebrate the start of the 2026 FRC High School Competition Season at WSCC.
More than 60 people attended, primarily students, adult coaches, new and continuing sponsors, and parents. Regional teams included Manistee, Ludington, Mason County Eastern, and Hart. Walkerville HS also fields a team.
In highlighting the fantastic new FIRST Robotics Practice Facility in Ludington, now available to all teams in our area, UACJ was shouted out for its generous business sponsorship.
Brian Dotson, the WSESD's Region 9 MiSTEM Director, offered the welcome and facilitated the FRC's announcement of this season's competition challenge and guidelines.
The guest speaker was Ashley McPike, the winner of the Miss Ludington Area Pageant Ashley is a FIRST alum from Ludington HS and she shared how FIRST Robotics has impacted her life.
Following a viewing of the Worldwide Broadcast unveiling the 2026 FRC Game, teams received their boxes of parts and began brainstorming ways to get their team off to a successful start.
Let the competition begin!