The all-girls VEX IQ Robotics Competition Team 6855B Warrior VEX at The Westminster Christian School in Palmetto Bay, Florida is bringing new talent and representation to the world of robotics and a new spin on competitive sports. These six young Hispanic students have not only built a winning team making it all the way to the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship, but have also built a lasting bond and earned their share of accolades along the way.
In the world of VEX Robotics, the path to success isn’t a straight line. It’s filled with setbacks and frustrations. As Adalyn D. said, “Sometimes you’re going to agree. You’re not always going to have the right answers, but you got to work as a team and figure it out together.” This spirit of collaboration and teamwork is at the heart of the Warrior VEX Robotics teams. They learned that perseverance and teamwork are just as important as technical skills.
Team members Gabby R. and Gabby C. echoed the same sentiments, explaining how they’ve grown both individually and as a team. Gabby R. shared that she didn’t know anyone at the start of the season, but her teammates quickly became close friends she can count on. Meanwhile, Gabby C. shared that she never thought she could build a robot, code, or drive one, but with the help of her team, she realized that practice makes it “kind of simple.”
When asked what advice they would give to other girls, or any student, who might be intimidated by robotics, the team’s responses were both practical and inspiring. “Never give up and don’t fear losing because you can always learn from your mistakes,” said Amber. Team Captain, Lyla emphasized the importance of self-confidence and finding your own niche. “You might not be good at driving. You might not be good at journaling. You could be good at programming or any of these other skills. Don’t just think ‘I was not good at this,’ you’re good at something.”
The team’s advice comes from the work they’ve put in and the accomplishments they’ve achieved together. Team 6855B was one of the five finalists in the Girl Powered STEM Spotlight Challenge with their “Woman Changing the World” entry. Their team’s theme featured the characters from “Inside Out” as they related to all the emotions they felt throughout the competition season.
The students are led by coaches Elizabeth Romaguera and Joseph Lopez, who along with fellow coach Claudia Pastrana, have helped the team succeed both in the lab and in competitions. The coaches have helped guide their students, teaching them about much more than just building a robot. The lessons they’ve learned go beyond the competition field, and they are already planning how to bring what they’ve learned to their community.
While their passion for robotics is clear, these students see a future beyond the competition field. Several team members expressed interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with one even mentioning a desire to become a robotic surgeon. Another wants to work for NASA, building tech supplies for the space agency.
Adalyn, who was a contender for the Youth Athlete of the Year award, highlighted the connection between sports and robotics. She explained that both require practice, dedication, and teamwork, “You have to be dedicated for it.”
This past season, the team’s hard work and dedication paid off when they earned a spot at the VEX Robotics World Championship. One of the girls said the experience was “stressful, but in the same moment it was so fun.” They learned to communicate with teams from different countries, using Google Translate to bridge language barriers. Adalyn, who had been to Worlds before, shared her experience being interviewed on stage and receiving the Innovate Award.
The girls of Westminster Christian School are more than just a robotics team. They are a powerful example of what can happen when young women are encouraged to explore their interests, challenge themselves, and work together. As one of the girls put it, “You don’t always have to be right, and you don’t always have to do everything by yourself.” They are setting a new standard for collaboration and achievement, one robot at a time.
Team 6855B will be hosting their Girl Powered event on Saturday, October 25, with the theme “Inspired by Design,” a Hands-on STEAM event designed to spark curiosity and excitement for engineering among 3rd-5th grade students. The team is partnering with the RECF, Florida International University’s Engineers on Wheels Program, and the University of Miami’s SWENext chapter to host the event.
