Team History

Presentation High School first became interested in robotics in 2006. Two sophomores, Elaine Higashi and Arille Jeriza, had developed a strong interest in robotics and wanted to learn more about the field and its mechanics. After approaching Principal Ms. Mary Miller and Dr. Howe of the Mathematics and Science Academy at Presentation, the two girls were given two VEX robot kits. With great enthusiasm, Elaine and Arille Jeriza gathered a few other interested friends and began assembling the robots. Within a short period of time, they had completed the project and showed it to Ms. Miller and Dr. Howe. Both were so impressed in the girls' voluntary commitment in building the robots that it was agreed a club would be formed. For the rest of 2006, about 12 girls worked on more VEX kits after school for fun.

In 2007, the robotics club expanded and joined the FIRST Robotics Competition. By this time, the club had transformed into a team consisting of approximately 30 students, 15 of which were committed to actively participating in meetings and building the robot on a daily basis. Within the first year entering the competition, the students' knowledge and skill grew a tremendous amount, considering they did not have any experience in previous years. The students were able to quickly comprehend the mechanics of building a robot and the various fields involved in creating it.

Of course, Team 2135 ran into various obstacles along the way, such as a tight budget, safety of the students, and so forth. Teachers were concerned about students' safety in building the robot, especially since it had to be done in the school's hallways. Presentation's robotics team did not have a dedicated working area and all the power tools, but were able to overcome the obstacles and still be successful during the competition. During that year, Team 2135 competed in the Silicon Valley Regional and Davis Regional. In the Silicon Valley Regional, they received the Highest Rookie Seed Team Award and the team's website was given the Website Excellence Award. Once the 2007 season ended, Presentation High School purchased a house now referenced as Panther's Den, to dedicate an area specifically for The Robotics Team.

After ending the 2007 season on a good note, the team was prepared to make more changes for the 2008 season. Plans were to have paid coaches and all expenses paid through grants and donations - and it happened. Now that the team had coaches studying at places such as Santa Clara University and Carnegie Mellon University, the team's knowledge expanded exponentially. Their skills were put to the test when the software had to be recoded. This happened about 5 weeks into the build cycle, so the team had to start a new software program with the Silicon Valley Regional rapidly approaching. However, the team was able to successfully leap over this barrier and make it to the Silicon Valley Regional with their robot performing at optimum levels.

In 2008, the robotics team were finally able to head over to SVR! After an innumerable amount of trials and errors, their efforts were shown when they were placed 16th out of 49 competing (and more experienced!) teams. This season, we hope to be even more successful - maybe 1st place?

The season of 2009 was led by Erin Simpson, who is now a University of Washinton. During the 2009 season, the team had expanded to include 26 eager and bright-eyed members. The team made it to CalGames with great enthusiasm, and despite their anxiety and inexperience, were able to place an impressive 12th out of 36 teams.

This past year, 2010, has proven to be a difficult one. Led by Sarah Watanabe (Class of 2010), the team overcame the many obstacles involved with building a more complex robot than previous years. However, the trials we have had to face have made us wiser and stronger as a team and therefore this upcoming year will assuredly be one of our best.