Cancellations on top of cancellations have been a tremendous disappointment for many students as continuous activities are canceled at Rose. Not only have sports had a negative impact due to the COVID-19, but clubs have also taken a major hit as well; the Robotics Team to be more specific.

 

The team as a whole was looking forward to a successful year, but the seniors of the team felt that this year, the final year, would be a little more special than the rest.

 

Split into two, Boneyard and Pitt Pirates, the teams equally compete in a series of competitions by building robots that test their skills in technology, team work and social speaking. 

 

Nicholas Kruchten, a senior on Boneyard, did not only think of robotics as a simple club or ordinary team, to him they were more.

 

“As time on the team progressed I got to know so many amazing people, allowing me to have friends and a family,” Kruchten said.

 

Being a member of the Robotics Team not only created friendships at Rose, but friendships from schools all over Pitt County.

 

The team's success is very important to our seniors. Together they have all accomplished many great achievements and received many awards like the Chairman's Award and their 13th Blue Banner.

 

Keenan Wasklewicz, senior at Rose and Drive Team Captain of the Pitt Pirates team, was looking forward to continuing their season with more awards and more wins.

 

“I was looking forward to winning lots of matches and celebrating with my fellow seniors,” Wasklewicz said.

 

Robotics doesn’t just teach them how to put their skills to work or how to use technology, but these seniors have learned life lessons that they will forever cherish.

 

Macayla Cayton, a senior on Boneyard, has progressed through the challenges of being on a team and competing. By being on the team, Cayton has learned different lessons and also has a better understanding of handling difficult situations.

 

“Robotics has taught me that different roles [are important] in different projects,” Cayton said. “Therefore, everyone should play their part.”

 

Playing your part is an important factor in Robotics, especially in competition, because so many things go on at one time.

 

Daniel Franklin, a senior on Pitt Pirates, has to be able to adapt to any situation that happens with his team's robots, and he also has to have a great communication system with his team.

 

As Pitt Crew captain, he has to be able to fix any situation that pops up on hand, plus be able to tell the judges everything about the team’s robot. These attributes have pushed him to start his own STEM camp.

 

“This camp has lasted several years and has introduced hundreds of kids to different STEM activities,” Franklin said. “Without my involvement in robotics, this would not have been possible.”

 

Robotics has taught these seniors many things and has molded them to be outstanding engineers. Whether they continue to use these skills later in life or decide to end the journey here, the memories, the friendships, and the love for what they do has made a mark over eastern North Carolina. 

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