Pearson Elementary’s Pony Robotics team galloped into history by advancing to the state championship for the first time. Their rise to the state level was fueled by teamwork, determination, and resourcefulness, with next year looking even brighter thanks to a game-changing grant from the Garland Education Foundation. This accomplishment marks an unmatched milestone for the campus.

After years of helping others secure funding, one educator took a leap of faith and submitted her first-ever grant request to purchase new-generation VEX Robotics kits.

“When I applied, I was honest. I had never done this before,” said Pony Robotics coach Mitzi Howard. “But our students needed this upgrade. Without the generation two robots, we were at a disadvantage.”

Howard submitted the $3,000 grant request in September 2024. As December rolled around, the team began planning fundraisers, unaware that the Garland Education Foundation was quietly preparing its signature surprise visits. In January, everything changed.

“We were in a planning session when Garland Education Foundation representatives walked in with a giant check. I screamed,” Howard recalled. “I thought we didn’t get it.”

The new-generation robots funded by the grant will be in students’ hands next school year. But even before the upgrade, the team was already making waves. Using older generation one robots, they pushed through competitions, proving that skill and strategy could stand toe-to-toe with more advanced equipment.

For these students, robotics is about more than machines. It is collaboration, creativity, and quick thinking in action.

“My favorite part is helping my teammates,” said fourth grader Maximus Hailil. “I usually gather the pieces, but I help build too.”

Fellow fourth grader Charlsie Blackmore shared, “It’s amazing to see something we’ve built work during the competitions. It feels like we’ve built something huge together.”

The competitions play out like fast-paced basketball games, only with robots. In each one-minute match, teams pair up and take turns driving their bots. The goal is to collect foam balls and score them by opening blue targets and launching balls into baskets or zones. Each team earns shared points based on how well they work together.

“Our robot couldn’t shoot the balls like others, but we were good at pushing and passing,” said Howard. “We focused on that and let our partners score.”

Each robot starts as a basic build, and teams customize it with attachments, such as claws, to grab and move balls. That part wasn’t easy.

“The hardest part is putting the claw on,” said Hailil. “One robot wouldn’t connect, and the claw wouldn’t go down.”

After struggling with their first robot, Bob, the team tried to build another. In the end, they returned to Bob and played to his strengths.

“That decision paid off,” said Howard. “We stopped trying to force a fix and focused on what worked.”

With creativity and strategy leading the way, the team secured a regional win and advanced to the state level. While they didn’t bring home the championship title, the experience was unforgettable. Competing at that level inspired confidence, sparked new goals, and showed just how far determination can take you.

Their journey proves that with the right mix of innovation, collaboration, and persistence, students can overcome challenges and reach new heights.