As we move further into the 2024-2025 school year, the seniors of Archbishop Mitty’s robotics team, Team 1351 TKO, reflect on their transformative journey in robotics. Over the years, these dedicated individuals have exemplified the values of Tenacity, Knowledge, and Opportunity, leaving an indelible mark on our robotics community. May your future be bright and full of wonderful opportunities, class of 2025!

Why did you initially join robotics?

• Ava Wood: I always knew I wanted to do engineering—it’s been my passion since I was nine. From the very beginning, I knew robotics was the program I wanted to be involved in, and thank God I ended up loving it.
• Corina Gaska: I joined robotics my freshman year and moved up to FRC after my first semester. Coming from a middle school without STEM resources, touring the robotics lab at Mitty made me realize I wanted to be part of this community. It felt like a space where I could belong, so I signed up as soon as I could—I even applied twice before officially starting at Mitty.
• Nishant Perla: I joined robotics because I was part of a Lego FLL team in middle school and wanted to expand my skills. I had planned to join FTC, but the pandemic interrupted that. So when I got to high school, I joined FRC to keep learning.

How has your role in robotics changed over the years, especially as a department leader?

• Ava Wood: When I joined MIR, it was the first year, and I wasn’t a lead or a pivotal member. I got involved over the summer and joined FRC, which was a huge change. Eventually, I became head of design and then director of engineering.
• Corina Gaska: My role has evolved over the years. After my freshman year, I became an electronics lead. I’ve always loved electrical engineering, and I ended up falling in love with electronics. I enjoy routing wires and powering the robot. I also got involved in outreach to recruit more people and spread the message of STEM. Now, I’m team president, excited to be involved in all aspects, from robot planning to competition preparation.
• Nishant Perla: In my first year, I wasn’t a leader—I did whatever work needed to be done, like making parts and sorting screws. In my junior year, I became scouting lead, training students and organizing the competition team. This year, as manufacturing lead, I focus on making parts, training students on tools, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. I also assign work to make sure everyone has something to do.

How has being part of the robotics team influenced your personal growth, social interactions, or development of practical skills?

• Nishant Perla: Half of my friends are from robotics because you spend 20 hours a week with them, which brings you closer. It’s helped me become more outgoing, build teamwork and leadership skills, and expand my social circle. Before robotics, I was reserved and mostly talked only when needed, but it helped me grow.
• Alavya Nitin: I joined robotics with a mild interest in making things, but it grew into a passion for engineering. It taught me problem-solving skills, especially in dealing with unexpected issues. Socially, interacting with hundreds of students at competitions helped me become more confident and comfortable talking to others.
• Suyog Vibhuti: For me, robotics became a springboard for other projects. I didn’t have much at home, but through the team, I learned things like CAD and 3D printing, which helped me with personal projects. You’ll gain invaluable practical experience that will carry over to many areas. Even after leaving the team, I still use many of the skills I learned in robotics for other projects.

What was your most memorable moment?

• Celine Lou: A memorable moment was when Varini and I pushed the scouting app to the App Store. After making the account and following Apple’s checklist, we ran into a lot of errors. Once we got through it, we high-fived so hard it hurt my hand.
• Ava Wood: My most memorable moment was at the San Francisco Regionals when we won the semifinals against Spartan Robotics, one of our biggest competitors. We knew that meant going to finals for the first time, and it was so emotional. I ran onto the field and hugged people I usually wouldn’t—it was one of the most fun moments.

What’s the most rewarding part of being in robotics, and what has been the most challenging? 

• Ava Wood: The most rewarding part of robotics for me has been seeing my designs come to life on the field. Since I focus on robot design, it’s incredibly fulfilling to watch my CAD work realized and actually perform. The most challenging aspect for me was learning all the advanced technical skills in such a short time. There’s a lot to take in, and it requires a lot of dedication and effort to really grasp it all, especially when you’re under pressure to pick it up quickly.
• Arya Shah: For me, the most rewarding part has been learning to use advanced tools like the router, lathe, and mill. It’s incredibly satisfying to be able to use equipment that’s hard to access elsewhere, and the sense of accomplishment when you’re able to manufacture something yourself is huge. On the other hand, the most challenging part is when you get stuck on something, especially during assembly. Sometimes we have to spend days finding the right part or coming up with creative solutions, which can be frustrating.
• Alavya Nitin: The most rewarding part of being in robotics is the thrill of seeing all the hard work over the season pay off when the robot works and performs well. There’s nothing like the feeling of accomplishment when it all comes together. But the most challenging part is when things don’t go as planned, like the time we set a school record but then our robot broke in the final match. It’s tough when you put so much effort into something, only for it to fall apart at the last moment. However, it’s important to stay positive and learn from those setbacks, so we can come back stronger next time.

Have you had any learning experiences that were particularly memorable to you?

• Nayan Meda: A memorable experience for me was designing the robot overall. I learned a lot during that process because designing a robot isn’t just about mechanics—it’s about considering factors like electronics placement, weight distribution, and how it all connects for programming. The experience of building and designing the robot over the course of a month was really impactful for me.
• Alavya Nitin: In the off-season of my second year, we were invited to the Bellarmine event, which is invite-only for the top teams in the world. We weren’t as competitive at the time, so we struggled a bit. At one point, another team hit us hard, shattering some plastic parts. My friend and I worked in the pits, coming up with makeshift solutions, and somehow, it worked. The time crunch and pressure to fix the robot were exciting, and I learned a lot about problem-solving during those three days.

What’s something about robotics or leadership in robotics that you think most people don’t understand?

• Celine Lou: A common misconception is that robotics is only for ‘smart’ kids. That can turn people away, making them think they’re not ‘smart enough’ to join. But that’s not the case—robotics is for anyone who’s willing to learn. It’s about growing your skills, and the leadership and mentors are always there to help. Ultimately, it’s up to you to reach out and make the most of the opportunities to learn and improve.
• Ava Wood: A misconception is that we’re all just ‘nerds’ with no social life. While we’re passionate about robotics, the team also has a place for people who want to be involved on the artistic side, like designing merch or working in the operations department. Personally, robotics has helped me make some of my closest friends. We spend so many hours together that the team really becomes a second family—it’s not all about the technical side; it’s about building those connections too.
• Nishant Perla: There’s a misconception that robotics is just about technical skills, but it’s really about the community and teamwork. It’s not just about building the best robot—it’s about creating a strong, well-rounded team and teaching new members the skills they need. If we focus too much on speed and efficiency, we miss the chance to develop everyone on the team. This extends beyond robotics into real-world work environments—if you rely too heavily on a few people, the whole team can suffer when they leave. We learned that the hard way when we relied on one key person who graduated, and we had to scramble to fill the gap.

Do you think there is anything that you should have done differently at robotics to make your time in robotics even more impactful, either personally or for the team as a whole?

• Nayan Meda: If I could make my time in robotics more impactful, I’d focus on always seeking out work and taking more initiative. Being proactive would have helped me grow more as an engineer, and I think it’s important for others to do the same, especially if they’re younger. In robotics, it’s key to take ownership of your growth if you want to step into leadership roles or have a significant impact on the team.
• Ava Wood: Looking back, I think I could’ve made my time in robotics even more impactful if I had taken advantage of the lessons in my JV and MIR years. I didn’t fully appreciate the value of the training in manufacturing, CAD, and electronics. I often brushed them off, not realizing how important they were. Although I made up for it by being dedicated and putting in extra hours, paying closer attention early on could have given me a head start and helped me join FRC sooner. Still, my commitment ultimately helped me get to where I am now.
• Nishant Perla: In my sophomore year, there were definitely things I could have done differently. I was more reserved and didn’t step outside my comfort zone. I didn’t take the initiative to ask for work or contribute beyond what I was assigned. In my early years on the team, there weren’t as many opportunities for new students to get involved, but I still could have been more proactive. I could have learned more, especially in areas like CAD and CAM, but overall, I’m happy with my growth and where I am now on the team.

How do you hope to carry the experiences from robotics into your future career? 

• Celine Lou: Robotics gave me the chance to explore beyond my department. I started with coding but ended up enjoying scouting data, working with apps, and using tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and soldering irons. These experiences helped me choose electrical engineering over computer science or computer engineering, as I find it exciting to combine coding with hands-on work.
• Arya Shah: The skills I’ve learned in robotics, like 3D printing and machining, will be useful in my future career as a mechanical engineer. I plan to apply what I’ve learned, especially in robotics and manufacturing, to my college work and future projects.
• Corina Gaska: The process of iteration and communication in robotics has been crucial to my development. Learning to expect failure and use it to improve has shaped my approach to problem-solving. The experience and documentation I gained on the team led to an internship at Stanford, and I look forward to applying these skills to my future engineering career.

What advice would you give to younger students who would like to be a part of robotics in general or the FRC team?

• Nayan Meda: I’d say regardless of your skill level, you should join. When I started, I didn’t even know what a plier was, but now I’m actively helping to build the robot. The beauty of robotics is that the team leaders and mentors are always there to guide you, and as long as you’re willing to learn, you’ll grow. It’s not about what you know at the start—it’s about being open to learning and contributing.
• Ava Wood: My biggest advice is to get involved as much as possible. Show up to meetings, ask questions, and express enthusiasm. If you’re trying to learn new skills—whether it’s CAD, programming, or mechanical work—don’t be afraid to ask. Take the initiative, and get involved in everything you can. The more tools and machines you learn to use, the more you’ll be trusted with important tasks. Getting involved early is a great way to make a bigger impact.
• Nishant Perla: For future students, even if you’re unsure, just show interest. It’s not only about having technical skills—it’s about being able to collaborate effectively. Whether you’re in MIR or a rookie in FRC, you need to prove that you can work well with others and take initiative. Asking questions and getting involved is key. The technical skills will come, but teamwork is what will really set you up for success.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

• Nayan Meda: If there’s one message I want people to take away, it’s that if you’re on the fence about something, just go for it. The worst that happens is you find out it’s not for you, and then you can walk away. That’s part of discovering your interests and growing as a person.
• Corina Gaska: I’m incredibly thankful for the past four years. It’s been a truly unique experience, and I can honestly say it’s been the best four years of my life. While I’m excited for what comes next, a part of me will always be tied to room 702 and everything I’ve learned there.
• Alavya Nitin: The team here at Mitty is so close-knit, and I’ve made lasting friendships, both with those who’ve graduated and my current teammates. It’s something that comes up often in interviews when discussing the team community. A joke we have is that I spend more time at the lab than at home—and it’s true! Whether it’s extra meetings or time spent preparing for events, we’re always together. Being a leader means you’re at every event, and those long hours create tight bonds. I’m proud to be part of this team, and it’s been one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of my life.