VEX V5 Robotics is a rigorous and competitive robotics program for middle and high school students. Eighteen Charles County Public Schools VEX V5 teams competed in the VEX Robotics tournament held at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) in La Plata on Feb. 7. 

Two CCPS teams were honored as awardees: 

Team 898A Kraizen of Thomas Stone High School, won the Create Award. The Create Award recognizes a creative engineering design solution to one or more of the challenges of the competition. Team members include seniors Blake Testerman, Chris Hill, and Michel Bose-Cruz.  Team Kraizen is coached by Daniel Meltsner, a technology teacher at John Hanson Middle School.     

Team 5769A, The Opps of Piccowaxen Middle School, were awarded the Sportsmanship Award.  The Sportsmanship Award recognizes a high degree of good sportsmanship, helpfulness, respect and a positive attitude both on and off the competition field. Team members include eight graders Harrison Wutka, Colton Hancock, Alex High and Troy Pettersen. Team 5769A is coached by Jessica Middleton, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teacher at Piccowaxen, and Caitlin Timko, a mathematics teacher, at Piccowaxen.     

Moving to states 

Teams 5977A and 5977B of La Plata High School, attended the Last Chance Push Back Tournament at South Hagerstown. Team 5977A was named as the Tournament Finalist. The tournament finalist is awarded to the team with the second ranking score in the tournament. As Tournament Finalist, Team 5977A will advance to the VEX V5 High School State Competition, to be held March 14 at the University Maryland in College Park. 

Students in Team 5977A are tenth graders Paul Blachek, Pranesh George, Elijah Merkle, Marcellus White, and Noah Waters; and Kodie Smith, junior. Students in Team 5977B are ninth grader Jaila Painter; sophomores Kyle Mojica, Samari Sawab, Sean Franklin, William Reckeweg, and Trinity Conyers; Gabriel Kibler, junior; and Steven House, senior. Both teams are coached by Katlyn Rash, science teacher at La Plata; and Nikki White.  

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 39 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. 

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).