VEX Robotics
with Mr. and Mrs. Achim
About
VEX Robotics is a program that offers students the opportunity to learn not only about robotics, but collaboration, teamwork, leadership, and most of all – the value of hard work. Led by the Achim family, whose sons are members of the Classes of 2020 and 2024, the Gaels 97140 A and B teams maintain a legacy of success.
Kennedy Gael’s Robotics Teams practice every weekend from September to the end of the season in late spring. These teams build well-engineered, creative robots and competed in seven VEX Robotics tournaments throughout Southern New York State. The 2021-2022 captains are Team A: Matthew Achim; Team B: Bartholomew Casabona and Gabriel Hidalgo. Our captains led their teams through a successful 2021-2022 season winning nine awards that recognized their robots’ design excellence, sportsmanship, programming and driving.
The team also maintains a blog documenting their work that also has links to the team Instagram accounts. Check it out here.
Upcoming Events
VEX Robotics Worlds Championships
Following an impressive season and earning the Design Award at the NYS State Championship competition, Team A has qualified to compete at the World Championship VEX Robotics competition in Dallas May 4 - 9.
Team Info
2022-2023 Robotics Team Schedules
Team Roster
Click on a photo or use your mouse wheel to scroll through each team's deck
Use your finger to swipe left or right over each galley to scroll through each team's deck
Team A
-
Matthew AchimJunior
Captain
Main Driver
Main Programmer & Designer -
Lucas HungJunior
Team Media Manager
Chief Journalist
Lead Designer
Drive Team Member -
Lazaro HidalgoSophomore
Chief Strategist
Engineer
Drive Team Member -
John PollackJunior
Strategist
Main Improvement Coordinator
Programmer
Drive Team Member -
Anthony NievesSophomore
Lead Build Deviser
Assistant Programmer
Engineer -
Corbin RosarioSenior
Tools Manager
Inventory Director
Lead Scouter
Engineer
Team B
-
Bartholomew CasabonaSenior
Team Co-Captain
Lead Driver
Main Programmer -
Gabriel HidalgoSenior
Team Co-Captain
Driver
Chief Engineer -
Edoh OgbueJunior
Programmer
Design Leader
Engineer -
Patrick O'ConnorSophomore
Drive Team Member
Chief Strategist -
Brenna RosarioSophomore
Drive Team Member
Engineer
Assistant Media Member -
Deonna ShapelyJunior
Drive Team Member
Engineer
Assistant Strategist -
Lylla McKeeSophomore
Team Chief Journalist
Assistant Strategist
Awards
In April 2021, the team earned the Southern New York State Champion title.
In April 2022, Team A, B, and C competed again at the Southern New York Champion title. Team A was recognized as a top team with a unique, ambitious design solution and creative thinking, Team A qualified to participate in the VEX World Championship 2022 in Dallas where they will compete with and against 800 of the best robotics teams from around the world in May 2022. Read more about the exciting State competition in Olivia Casabona’s Gael Winds coverage of the event: Robotics Qualifies for Worlds
2021-2022 Season Awards
December 4, 2021 – Team A and B won Tournament Finalists at Hudson Valley VRC Tipping Point Qualifier at Our Lady of Lourdes.
February 19, 2022 – Team A won Tournament Finalists, Robot Skills Champions, and Design Award at the Harvey School “Tipping Point” VRC Qualifier.
February 26, 2022 – Team A won the Sportsmanship Award at the Adelphi University VEX Competition “Tipping Point” Qualifier.
March 5, 2022 – Team A won Tournament Champions and the Amaze Award at Kennedy Robotics VRC Tipping Point Tournament – Bellmore at John F. Kennedy High School. Team B won the Build Award.
March 12, 2022 – Team A won the Create Award at the Southern New York High School State Championship, qualifying them for the Vex Worlds Championship in May.
May 7, 2022 – Team B wins the Energy Award at the Vex World Championship, recognizing them as a team that has shown extraordinary positive energy and enthusiasm as well as displaying a passion for robotics that enriches the event experience for others.
Robotics News
Robotics Reflection
Lucas Hung ’24 reflects on the VEX Robotics program at Kennedy, detailing their successes dating back to the 2016-2017 season up until their performance at Worlds in 2022.
Robotics Qualifies for Worlds
Kennedy VEX Robotics Team A is headed to the World Championships in Dallas! Read Olivia Casabona’s detailed account of the State Competition that qualified Team A to keep going.
VEX Robotics at Kennedy
Michael Oddo, ’21, interviews Taran Agnihotri, ’20, about the VEX Robotics team here at Kennedy and its profound influence.