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Southington students’ Cyber Knights honored for district wins and World Championship showing
Summary
Team 195, the Cyber Knights, presented their 2026 robot and described outreach, mentorship and volunteer impact to the Southington Board of Education after winning multiple district awards, earning Impact Awards and advancing to the FIRST Robotics World Championship semifinals.
The Southington Board of Education on June 18 recognized Team 195, the Cyber Knights, for a season that included district‑level championships, Impact Awards and advancement to the Newton Division semifinals at the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston.
The recognition began when Mr. Pepe introduced the team, noting wins at Western New England and the University of Vermont and the team’s repeat selection for Impact Awards, which the team described as honors for “meaningful and measurable change in the communities around the world.” Cyber Knights presenters told the board their three‑year strategy focuses on community engagement, FIRST expansion, government advocacy, STEAM outreach, student and team development, and sustainability.
Team members said each student contributed roughly 40 volunteer hours this season, the group logged about 10,000 volunteer hours over three years, and its outreach includes an annual STEAM event serving about 300 participants, 33 startup teams created over the past three years (including 11 this year), a girls coding club and curriculum delivered to Girl Scouts. The presenters also described partnerships with veterans’ organizations, food drives and regional events that bring FIRST experiences to other districts.
The team demonstrated their 2026 robot at the meeting, explaining technical features including a swerve drive base that allows omnidirectional movement, a four‑ball‑wide shooter, a moving‑floor feeder with carbon‑fiber rollers and four onboard cameras that support automated alignment. The presenters described a programming interface they said mirrors industry code standards to give students real‑world experience.
Board members greeted the demonstration and presented Team 195 with a plaque and a blue banner the team had earned. The presentation concluded with applause and a short reception where board members came down to congratulate mentors and students.
The board’s recognition was ceremonial; no formal action other than the presentation and plaque exchange was taken. The team’s presentation materials and the plaque were accepted by the board, and the meeting proceeded with its regular agenda.
