COLUMBUS, Ga. – The West Town Elementary Wildcats have made history, earning their first-ever spot in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge state tournament after an impressive performance at the Super Regional Tournament in Columbus, Georgia, on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The team won the Robot Design Award for their innovative engineering and problem-solving approach, while their coach, Mrs. Crystal Williams, was honored with the Motivate Award, a distinction given to mentors who inspire excellence and teamwork.
The Wildcats’ success is a reflection of their dedication and perseverance, as they refined their robot and strategies based on feedback from the regional competition at Monroe Comprehensive High School. At that event, four Dougherty County elementary schools—Alice Coachman, Sherwood Acres, Turner, and West Town—were among the top finishers, earning them spots in the Super Regional Tournament.
A Strong Showing for Dougherty County
In the earlier regional competition, several Dougherty County schools stood out:
West Town Elementary won the Champion’s Award in Tournament B, recognizing their overall excellence in innovation, teamwork, and competition.
Turner Elementary (Turner Robotics) won both the Robot Performance Award and the Core Values Award in Tournament B.
Alice Coachman Elementary won the Innovative Project Award in Tournament B.
Lake Park Elementary won the Core Values Award in Tournament A.
West Town’s ability to carry this momentum into the Super Regional Tournament speaks to the strength of STEM education and robotics programs in Dougherty County Schools.
What’s Next: The State Tournament at Georgia Tech
After their standout performance at Super Regionals, the West Town Wildcats are now preparing for their next challenge: the Georgia FIRST LEGO League State Tournament, which will take place at Georgia Tech on February 8, 2025. This competition will bring together the best robotics teams from across the state to showcase their problem-solving skills, technical expertise, and teamwork in tackling real-world scientific challenges.
The 2024-2025 FLL Challenge, themed “SUBMERGED℠,” encourages students to explore oceanic layers and develop innovative solutions related to marine environments. As part of the competition, teams design, build, and program LEGO robots to complete missions that simulate real-world challenges in underwater exploration.
With their first-year coach, Mrs. Williams, leading the way, the Wildcats are set to make an impact at the state level, representing Dougherty County Schools with skill and determination.
The Dougherty County School System is proud of all the students, coaches, and mentors who have worked tirelessly this season. Their commitment to innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving is an inspiration to the entire community.