[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 82 (Thursday, May 15, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E435-E436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE JAMES MADISON HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2025

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the James 
Madison High School Robotics Team, Team 620, known proudly as the 
Warbots.
  The Warbots participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition, an 
international high school robotics competition. This year, Team 620 
qualified for the FIRST Robotics World Championship held in Houston, 
Texas, marking only the fourth time in the team's 25-year history that 
they have achieved this honor.
  At the Championship, the Warbots and their robot, ``Dory,'' delivered 
a remarkable performance, finishing 11th in the Galileo Division's 
qualification rounds. The team went on to serve as captain of a three-
team alliance, selecting partners from India, Canada, and Michigan. 
They then went against the 5th seeded alliance and won with a score of 
228-227.
  In addition to their success in Houston, the Warbots had an extremely 
successful regional competition season. In January, FIRST released this 
year's challenge, ``Reefscape,'' prompting teams to design, build, and 
automate their robots in under two months. During District Competitions 
in March and District Championships in early April, Team 620 captured 
the Excellence in Engineering Award and the Autonomous Award. Their 
alliance won the Alexandria event and earned the highest score of the 
year in the FIRST Chesapeake District.
  I include in the Record, the eighteen students who represented James 
Madison High School at the World Championship:

       Josh Lauro; Graduating Senior
       Annabelle Hallworth; Graduating Senior
       Nick Abbott; Graduating Senior
       Daphne Jaillon; Graduating Senior
       Davin Meggers; Graduating Senior
       Noah Weintraub; Graduating Senior
       Zach Sinclair
       Michelle Cerga
       Isaac Gantsoudes
       Theo Tatro
       Thomas Santonicola

[[Page E436]]

       Ishaan Pandya
       Julia Blinde
       Liam McLaughlin
       Zihe Chen
       Zihou Chen
       Riya Datta
       Tristan Moss

  These talented students were supported on their journey by lead 
mentor Jeff Ressin, school sponsor AJ Benker, and a dedicated team of 
mentors and parent volunteers.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the Warbots for their innovation and teamwork. 
I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing these students and 
wishing Team 620 continued success in future seasons.

                          ____________________