Woodhaven High School Goon Squad Team 3604 ‘hooked’ the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition of the season Reefscape by a second consecutive district win of the FIRST Impact Award last weekend at Ferndale High School.
The FIRST Impact Award is the most prestigious award at FIRST, it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. The FIRST Impact Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season. The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST's mission of transforming our culture.
The recipient team will be invited to the state championship where it will compete with their robot for the FIRST Impact Award against winners from other qualifying events.
The Goon Squad hooked the judges with their relentless advocacy efforts, drafting a new budget proposal for Michigan robotics grants in collaboration with their state senator, showing their commitment to advancing robotics education. Through their innovative events that LINK local companies and universities with eager students, to tight-knit partnerships with their school that secured $25,000 in grant funding to establish a district-wide FIRST Hub, this team is lining-up opportunities for more students to participate and benefit from these invaluable programs.
There were 13 other teams that presented last weekend; 25 teams total will compete at states for the Impact Award. The Goon Squad is composed of 33 students, and the coaches are Rebecca Matzo and Nick Matzo. There are also 11 other adults who mentor the team.
The Goon Squad also won this award last year at States, which qualified them for a place at the World Championship.
Next up for the Goon Squad is FIRST Robotics Competition at Woodhaven High School on March 22 and 23.
This award is the golden ticket to get the Goon Squad into the state competition, April 3-5, 2025 along with their ranking points. The points accumulated at the next competitions and the combined total gets the team to Worlds. Currently the team is still looking to hook some more ranking points at the upcoming Woodhaven High School district event.
“Our team was reef-tastic as they awed the judges with their presentation and performance and commitment of our team to the community we serve,” Rebecca Matzo. “We look forward to working together these next few weeks to add to our presentation and improve our robot.”
Broderick Justain, Brook-Lyn Casey, Samantha Manning and Vriana Becker from the Good Squad Business Team contributed to this report.