Walkerville launches first-ever robotics team 

Izy Ashbrook works on the robot while her coach Susan Schwarz oversees.

Walkerville launches first-ever robotics team 

Wildcat News is a presentation of Walkerville Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

WALKERVILLE — Walkerville High School is making history with the formation of its first-ever robotics team.

The team is coached by science and math teacher Susan Schwarz, and team members include junior Madysen Church-Nichols, sophomores Braden Crew and Donivyn Girard and freshmen Izy Ashbrook and Alekzander Bajtka.

The fledgling program may eventually evolve into a class, said Schwarz. Videos and rookie training are helping the new team learn the complex process of building a robot.

The dedicated team meets after school daily to work on the robot in preparation for competitions scheduled for March 14 and 28 in Muskegon and Grand Rapids, said Schwarz. The team will wear matching Walkerville Robotics Team T-shirts created by the Career Tech Education students.

“Every year they have a different game, and this year they’re focusing on music,” said the teacher. “They call it ‘Crescendo.’ They have speakers and amps and things like that. Every year is a different theme.”

Not only are they learning valuable information about robotics and coding, team members are enhancing their problem solving and teamwork skills.

“It’s fun, but it’s also got its challenges,” said Ashbrook. 

Walkerville Public Schools Superintendent/Principal Joe Conkle helps with the robot.

Although it’s a competition, there is definitely a spirit of cooperation with robotics, said Schwarz. Other teams have offered to come and help the new team. 

“They said we could ask questions about it and to not be afraid to get a hold of them,” said Ashbrook of a team offering to assist. Schwarz said a robotics team from California has even reached out to help the young Wildcat squad.

“I think they will learn a lot at the first competition, seeing what other people make,” said Schwarz. “We have never seen that in action.”

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