Holmdel credits 2020 referendum facility upgrades as robotics teams win league honors and Inspire Award

District leaders used the awards program to highlight how recent facility improvements have supported the growth of the high school robotics program.

"One of the thrusts of that referendum was to create a state-of-the-art facility in our high school," said Dr. Gascon, describing how the district's applied-technology and engineering wing now houses robotics classes and teams that previously practiced in volunteers' homes. He credited the 2020 referendum and parental support with enabling program expansion.

The board recognized two high school robotics teams — Hornet Silver and Hornet Blue — and their advisors, high school engineering teacher T.J. Buccino and middle school technology teacher Ryan O'Keefe. The board noted Hornet Silver were league champions and finished in the top half at the New Jersey state championships, while Hornet Blue won a league Inspire Award, an honor the speaker described as reflecting “the holism of the program” including student knowledge, creativity and sportsmanship.

The district also read team rosters and praised student mentoring between high-school and middle-school teams, describing a feeder structure that brings up younger students into competitive robotics. The recognitions were ceremonial; no new funding decisions or policy directives tied to the robotics program were recorded at the meeting.

The board invited advisors and students to the stage for photographs and thanked parent volunteers who previously hosted teams, framing the growth of robotics as a mix of district investment and community support.