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Monty Python robotics team places sixth regionally; students describe season, budget and community outreach
Summary
Monticello High School’s Monty Python robotics team presented a season recap at the April 7 board meeting, reporting a sixth-place regional finish, roughly $11,000 in season expenses, $14,000 raised from sponsors, plans to add a climber and pursue swerve drive, and summer community outreach and classes.
Members of the Monticello High School Monty Python robotics team presented a season recap to the Monticello School Board on April 7, highlighting competition performance, sponsorships, expenses and community engagement.
Junior team captain Jordy Gertz told the board the team placed sixth out of 52 teams at a regional competition after setting an initial goal of finishing in the top two-thirds. Students and coaches credited collaboration with nearby teams in their hub (Big Lake, Becker, STMA and others) for technical help, practice space and mentoring.
Students outlined season costs and fundraising. The team reported roughly $11,000 in expenses: $6,000 for regional registration (one regional), about $1,500 for equipment, $575 for preseason tournaments, and roughly $2,800 for travel and hotels for the North Dakota regional. The students said sponsors contributed over $14,000 this season, allowing them to attend tournaments and purchase required parts. Students also noted in-meeting sponsor assistance including Target (controllers) and UMC (a computer) among in-kind contributions.
Students described technical goals for next season: adding a "climber" to score endgame points and pursuing a swerve-drive platform (more complex and costly than their current tank drive). Coach and student presenters explained the team's autonomy period in matches (15 seconds of autonomous code), scoring mechanics (different point values for game pieces and structures), and the team's strategy to do one task consistently and well.
The presentation covered community outreach plans: participation in Riverfest walk-and-roll, parades with Big Lake, hosting a community education robotics class for elementary students, and summer work to upgrade the robot.
Board members praised the students. No board action was required; the board had previously accepted a $1,000 gift from Aspen Tech to the robotics team during the meeting's gifts resolution.
