It was an early morning for Trial and Error Robotics. We were headed to Brandon High School for the FIRST Tech Challenge qualifier competition. This event is the first qualifier competition for the 2023-24 season. The team was excited to unveil their new mascot, General Mayhem, which included a large mask. Our mascot even caught the attention of Mr. Mannie Lowe, the Mississippi FTC program manager.

The team faced some unexpected challenges as we prepared for qualifiers. A broken lift on our robot led to a frantic search for replacement parts. East Rankin Robotics came to our rescue and provided a spare part we could use to repair our lift. Despite encountering issues during the qualifier matches, such as drifting and drone malfunctions, the team’s resilience and problem-solving abilities came through.

Our team’s perseverance earned us an Alliance selection. Wearing the mascot mask, our team captain graciously accepted an invitation from the second-ranked alliance, the Robotic Raiders. This alliance led to a successful partnership in the semi-finals and finals. Our victory earned the team recognition for our innovative mailbox design and a golden ticket to the state competition.

The team is proud of what we achieved at our first qualifier competition. We are grateful for the opportunity and success of the alliance with the Robotic Raiders. Our team looks forward to showcasing their skills and teamwork at our next competition in February.