BY CHRISTIAN WARREN FREED
Move over Transformers, there’s a new machine in town. Thanks to innovations in technology and the rapid pace of everything from drone development to the robot-controlled human clone prototype, there has never been a better time for the field of robotics and the new minds building them. Many of the top schools in the county have robust teams of eager youths ready to try their chops at learning the intricacies of robotics.
Here in Fuquay-Varina, the high school team, affectionately known as SLICE Robotics (Service, Leadership, Innovation, Community, and Excellence), began in 2022 and has quickly grown and expanded their skills. The one constant any robotics parent or team member will tell you is the sense of community this endeavor produces. A family atmosphere binds these remarkable students together in ways many of their classmates will never understand.
This program, still in its infancy, provides students with the skills to help them succeed in the future and develops much needed character. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of stress to go around, but no matter the challenge, the SLICE team pushes forward. Their mission statement is simple and straight to the point: Serve our community, become the leaders of our future, innovate our future, foster a great sense of community, and show excellence in everything we do.
SLICE is a student-led team and a rising star in the FIRST Robotics Competition. They focus heavily on STEM, business, and leadership through a drive of innovation, competition, and service. Mrs. Dana Starler is the team’s lead mentor. She helps organize events and fleshes out competition details. She wasn’t always interested in this field but, like most parents with active children, she found herself drawn in when her sons joined.
“At first, I was only involved as a parent when my older son joined the team in its rookie year, and then a year after, my younger son joined. But as I began to learn more about FIRST Robotics, and got to know the kids on the team, it started becoming personally important to me. I really enjoy watching them grow as students and as people, and it makes me happy to help guide them in even a small way,” Dana admits.
Her sentiments are echoed by several students on the team of almost 50. These include class of 2025 graduates Thomas Hart, Marcus Andres, and Caroline Parker; rising senior Brady Starler; rising juniors Ben Park and Caraline Kruger; and rising sophomores Harshith Paidmarri and Colin Duda. Their opinions range from understanding the opportunities available through the field of robotics to developing critical skills necessary for life. Some, like Harshith, see robotics as a connection to their dream job and that ideal chance to shine in college applications. Regardless of their reasons, these outstanding students are examples to their fellow youth and the community.
Thomas Hart sums up his experience while echoing the general team sentiment. “Joining the robotics team here was undoubtedly the best and most impactful decision during my time in high school. I will always be grateful for how much it clarified my vision of what I wanted to do with my life as well as the multitude of practical programming skills it has given me.”
SLICE is a multi-faceted team with several smaller sub-teams. This helps divide the workload while giving the students the chance to dive deeper into what they hope to accomplish moving forward as they progress to adulthood. Students gain soft skills to better their futures, from learning the nuances of effective communication to strategizing during competitive events.
Caroline Parker states, “Unlike what people would typically think, our robotics team has a business side to it. In fact, I have learned the complexity of social media marketing and website design. I have also learned how to use different design programs with efficiency, while making sure to pay attention to detail and composition. Not to forget, I have gained the essential soft skills for my future such as communication, teamwork, and an open mindset when approaching anything.”
Speed and efficiency are ingrained in the team mentality. From a competition aspect, they have only two months to build a fully functioning robot. Throw in the complications of regular school life, exams, and family obligations, and you have one hectic schedule until the season ends in May. But the work doesn’t stop there. The SLICE team spends their off-season recruiting and training new members and integrating into various other school programs.
Ask these kids and they will tell you they have no problem with the pressure. Marcus admits, “It’s been an honor to wear the name of a small community like Fuquay-Varina at the world level competition in Houston twice in just three years, and it wouldn’t have been half as impactful for me if it wasn’t with the family I’ve made over my four years of high school.”
Since inception, the SLICE team has competed at local, regional, national and international levels. They earned their spot at the NC State Championship three times and the FIRST World Championship twice. Their list of accomplishments continues growing as does their collection of awards and accolades, which include: ECU District Event, Rookie All Star Award; Guilford County District Event, Rookie Inspiration Award; North Carolina State Championship, Rookie All Star Award; Johnston County District Event, Autonomous Award; UNC Pembroke District Event, District Event Finalist; UNC Pembroke District Event, Industrial Design Award; Wake County District Event, Creativity Award and District Event Finalist; North Carolina State Championship, State Finalist.
Not bad for a group just starting out and finding itself. These accomplishments are highlighted by the fact that the very nature of the team is one of constant change. Students come and go as they graduate. Sustainability is critical to continued success, and it looks like the mentor team in place is moving in the right direction.
Perhaps the most impactful sentiment is raised by Dana Starler when she says, “I love that FIRST’s main motto is ‘gracious professionalism,’ because it’s a core value that will take the student far in their careers. Another idea that I love is that failing is okay. Failing is GOOD. But only if you pick yourself back up and try again, and again, until you find a way to reach your goal.”
SLICE is only able to function with the help of sponsorships. Each year, the team has a fundraiser, and they receive most of their funding from local and corporate sponsors. Every dollar donated is critical to the team achieving success and making their robots as competitive as possible.
To get involved or to learn more about this amazing group of students and their mentors, you can go to https://slicerobotics.org/. They give their all for the team and school. They challenge each other, trust in their individual and collective abilities, and they believe in robotics as a fun, learning environment and in their team as a family that will remain long after students graduate and begin the next chapter of their lives. For sure, SLICE has what it takes to continue building a legacy of success.
