About Us

The Mechanical Minds were established in 2017 by Saint Stephens High School CTE teacher Andy Owens. Under his leadership, the team quickly grew and competed actively. When Mr. Owens transitioned to a teaching position at Catawba Valley Community College, leadership of the team was passed to Arndt Middle School CTE teacher Jason Guptill. The team continued to thrive until March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced operations to shut down.

In January 2022, driven by the dedication of new students and mentors eager to revive an FRC team at Saint Stephens High School, The Mechanical Minds were officially relaunched under the guidance of current lead mentor Mrs. Blaire Miller. Since the restart, the team has experienced steady growth and renewed success. Beginning with the 2023–2024 school year, membership was expanded to include students from all high schools across Catawba County.

Now entering the 2025–2026 season, The Mechanical Minds are proud to be a 36-member team. We were also honored to once again host the THOR and DOYENNE West off-season events, held October 18–19, 2025.

Our history is a vital part of who we are as a team. The traditions, mentorship, and community support built over the years continue to shape our identity today. We are deeply grateful to those who laid the foundation before us and to the community that has supported our growth every step of the way.