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Inspiration All Star

Omar Cortez

About
Omar Cortez accepts the Inspiration All Star Award alongside his students at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship
Details
Award: Inspiration All Star
Year: 2025
Title: Coach, Author
Organization: Dallas Independent Schools
Team: Owlbots
Location: Texas

Omar Cortez, known as the driving force behind the Owlbots in Dallas, Texas, has built a reputation as a role model and advocate for STEM education. He supports students and coaches alike and authored the book Meshed Gears, reflecting on his journey in robotics. Cortez’s dedication to helping others succeed and his belief in robotics as a transformative tool have made him a cornerstone of the Texas robotics community.

➥ Meshing Gears with Omar Cortez

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2025-2026 Signature Event Updates

  1. An Event Partner wanting to apply to host a Signature Event must have hosted events for at least 2 seasons prior to applying. 
  2. Signature Events must use the officially branded award banners for the Excellence Award and Tournament/Teamwork Champions Award.
  3. When hanging field skirts the VEX Robotics logo/brand name can not be covered up on the competition fields.
  4. VEX V5 Robotics Competition Signature Events may have regional capacity and max per organization restrictions lifted 8 weeks before the event if the event is not full (similar to the process already in place for VEX IQ Robotics Competition Signature Events).
  5. Minimum pit size reduced to 8’x 8’ instead of 10’x10’.
  6. Beginning in the 2025-2026 season, the REC Foundation will collect $10 instead of $5 per team registration on all Signature Events. This is to help offset travel costs for REC Foundation staff to support these larger events.

2025-2026 Signature Event Application Reminders

  1. Existing Signature Events only need to complete the Final Application (due by March 31, 2025)
  2. New Signature Event concepts will need to complete the Initial Proposal by January 31, 2025 and if approved, complete the Final Application by March 31, 2025.
Crowd watches the Signature Event in Minnesota's Mall of America
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