JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Hard work from students at Jonesboro Public Schools pays off as they prepare for the Vex Robotics World Championships.
“Going to Worlds is pretty amazing because you get this happy feeling, you’re going to Dallas, Texas, and me personally, the best thing is missing school for 4 days,” said 6th-grade student for Health, Wellness, and Environmental Studies Magnet School Manuel Leon.
Five students from the Health, Wellness, and Environmental Studies Magnet School in Jonesboro are headed to the Vex Robotics World Championships.
The team qualified after winning at the state level, which was not an easy feat.
“Roughly around 200 plus elementary teams in the state of Arkansas, and only 5 teams get an invite each year,” said the Robotics Coach April Ramer
For 6th-grader Genevieve Flores, who spent many recesses working on their robot, it’s a dream come true.
“It’s like getting a vacation after a year of school, and I find it immensely relieving because all of our work did not go to waste,” said Flores.
This success is something robotics teams from Jonesboro Public Schools continue to have.
This year alone, two elementary teams, one team from Annie Camp Junior High, and one from Jonesboro High School, qualified for worlds.
Ramer said that the success comes from the students enjoying the variety that comes with robotics.
“It’s so hands-on, it’s so ever-changing, there is a new game every year, so even the kids that have been on it every year, they find something new to bring them back into it,” said Ramer.
Ramer added that it’s just as rewarding for her as she watches these kids grow.
“I get to pour into these kids and grow them not only in their engineering aspect, but just the change I see in these kids with their maturity level and how they interact with adults and peers, being able to cooperate with other people, that’s what makes me happy,” said Ramer.
Flores, Leon, and their team will be heading to Dallas, Texas, to compete on May 12 against over 400 teams from across the world.
To report a typo or correction, please click here.
Copyright 2025 KAIT. All rights reserved.
