SGA Robotics Team Wins

SGA Robotics Team Wins
Posted on 07/03/2017
Robotics TeamFor Maxon Zhao, a senior at San Gabriel Academy, this was a dream come true. For over three years, he has been working on and perfecting his skills in the area of robotics. As a student in China, he joined several individual robotics competitions. At SGA, he continued to promote his love of robotics. The school’s Robotics Team made their way to New York City for the May 21 National RoboCup Junior USA Robotics Tournament, accompanied by their physics teacher, Prakash Rajendran. SGA juniors Raiden Yang (programming and coding) and Justin Phung (programming and coding), and sophomore Oscar Nolasco (design and construction) joined seniors Maxon Zhao (programming and coding) and Watchara Lu (design and construction) on a trip that would prove to be about more than just robotics.

The team from San Gabriel Academy, four of whom were not familiar with Christianity before they came to SGA from China and Thailand, were met with some nervous moments and challenges. The trip was Oscar’s first experience on an airplane, and he held on tightly as they took off from Los Angeles International Airport. Before the competition, the judges made their rounds to make sure all robots met tournament requirements. SGA’s team prayed that their robot would not exceed the 1,100-gram maximum weight limit. After a few nervous moments in anticipation, the judges announced that SGA’s robot weighed exactly 1,100 grams. During the quarterfinals, a strategic piece holding the compass broke. Raiden and Justin ran to the car hoping to find a spare part. When they returned, they told the rest of the team, “The only thing inside the car was this.” They held out a Bible, and the others said, “That’s the most important thing you could have brought!” They prayed right there. “After we prayed and with one last tweak,” said Watchara, “the robot performed perfectly for the rest of the competition.” Mr. Rajendran confided later, “Raiden never let go of the Bible. He held it securely in his hands for the rest of the competition.” As the day continued, Raiden said, “I saw your miracles, God, and I believe in You!”