FIRST Robotics
What is FIRST?
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition is a competition in which high schoolers all around the world compete to build a robot for an annual game. FIRST holds three levels of competition: FLL (elementary), FTC (middle school), and FRC (high school). Team 469, Las Guerrillas, competes in FRC competitions.
Who's on the Team
Mentors
On the team, we have many mentors that help with different roles. They have a wide range of experience and backgrounds.
Lead Mentor: Marjie Jenkins
Mechanical Mentors: Issac Rife, Luke Bilby, Eden Klingenberg, and Andrew Shi
Scouting Mentor: Brigetta Greiner
Awards Mentor: Lily Eckman
Rookie Mentor: Xuan "Titi" Tran
Programming Mentors: Andrew McBride, Jimmy Cao, and Matt Woodson
Parent Mentors: Eleanor Chan and Gert Schneider
Student System Leads
Students who have shown great commitment and growth are chosen by mentors to lead the different systems of the robot and competition. The following are the students who were system leads in the 2024 season:
Shooter System Leads
Wei-lin Zhou ('24)
Sam Samara ('25)
Intake System Leads
Prathisha Sri kanthan ('24)
Stefanie Schneider ('25)
Climb System Leads
Suvetha Nithiyaragawan ('24)
Neel Grover ('26)
Programming/Electrical System Leads
Manav Khosla ('25)
Marcus Wong ('26)
Awards Lead
Vani Korada ('25)
And More...
FIRST is a global community with over 660,000 students across 110 different countries. We meet compete and work with teams from all across the world. Additionally, we meet with many industry professionals. Whether they are looking to sponsor us or are interested in providing scholarships and opportunities to students, FIRST offers many long-lasting connections.
2024 Drive Team reviewing a match
Drive Team
Students go through tryouts to become a part of the drive team. The following were the students selected for the different roles in the 2024 season:
Driver: Marcus Wong ('26)
Operator: Manav Khosla ('25)
Technician: Sam Samara ('25)
Human Players: Stefanie Schneider ('25) and Sanjith Sambath ('25)
Drive Coach: Marjie Jenkins
Team History
Team 469 has a long and storied history and is well-known throughout FIRST in Michigan. We have won two world championships in 2003 and 2014, and we have competed at the world championship 19 times. We have won 87 awards and 35 Blue Banners.
Team 469 wins the World Championship in 2014
Team 469 wins the Innovation in Control Award in 2024
Team 469 wins the Imagery Award in the Milstein Division at Worlds 2023
Team 469 wins the Impact Award (formerly the Chairman's Award) in 2023
By the Numbers
35 Blue Banners
2-time World Championship Winner
5-time World Championship Finalist
Total Seasons: 25 (2000-2024)
19-time World Championship competitor
4-time Michigan State Championship Winner
2-time Chairman's Award/Impact Award Winner
Qualification Match at Troy #1
(putting up 15 notes alone in a 1v3)
Pictures
Outreach
Our team values giving back to our community, so we participate in various outreach events throughout the year. This includes volunteering at/hosting OCCRA FTC competitions for middle schoolers, fundraising at Relay for Life and Walk For Wishes, holding a bone marrow drive, and mentoring FTC and FLL teams. We also hosted a Rookie Workshop at IA for new robotics teams, and we co-host an annual Bloomfield All Girls Competition, to promote inclusive participation, especially on pit crew and drive team.
Bloomfield All Girls Competition 2021
Walk For Wishes at the Detroit Zoo 2023
Hosting an OCCRA FTC competition at IA 2022
Where and When?
Our Machine Shop
Our machine shop is located at 31 Oakland Ave in Pontiac. Parking can be found behind the shop. Knock on the window or message a teammate for entry.
Fall Off-Season
During the off-season in the fall, 6 hours per week are required
2-3 weekdays (5:30-8:30pm)
some Saturdays (10:00am-2:00pm)
1-2 Sep-Nov offseason events (Fri-Sat)
The team also competes in OCCRA, which lasts for about 12 weeks, from the start of September until the end of November. Competitions are held toward the end of October and throughout November, and they are at schools around Oakland County. Previously, OCCRA Competitions have been held at Marion High School, Brother Rice, Walled Lake West, and more.
Summer Off-Season
During the off-season in the summer, shop will be open
1-2 weekdays (5:30-8:30pm)
some Saturdays (10:00am-2:00pm)
We will also participate in 1-2 Sep-Nov offseason events (Fri-Sat)
The team competes in an offseason event (in July).
FIRST
During FIRST Season in the Winter and Spring, 9 hours per week are required
3-4 weekdays (5:30-8:30pm)
every Saturday (10:00am-2:00pm)
1-2 February scrimmage events (Fri-Sat)
2 March Qualifying events (Friday-Sunday)
FRC States Competition in early April if we qualify (Thurs-Sat)
FRC World Championship in mid April in Houston, TX if we qualify (Tues-Sun)
FIRST starts at the beginning of January with the kickoff, and then the build season runs for eight weeks. Following this, we begin competiting at the district, state, and international levels!
How to Join
Students interested in joining the team must fill out the team application and join the google classroom.
Google Classroom Code: 2h3cq6l
Application Link: 2024-2025 First Robotics Team Application
*Acceptance to the team is on a rolling basis for applications received on or before June 30, 2024. Applications received after this date will still be considered and students will be notified of their acceptance by September 15, 2024.
Further Information
If you have any further questions, please contact one of the following emails:
marjiejenkins@gmail.com (lead mentor)