Writer – Maj. Jamelle Garner
Photographer – Tina Tse
In their first year in the Robotics realm of competition, the Roosevelt JROTC ‘Robo-Riders’ team is making its mark in a sport that requires both technical and interpersonal skills to include teamwork, leadership, communication and collaboration, traits fundamental to JROTC mission and goals.
The team that almost wasn’t, the Theodore Roosevelt JROTC “Robo Riders” robotics team is taking the robotics world by storm. In their first-year branching into the field of Robotics, this organization traditionally known for their National wins in Drill and CyberPatriot, and regional appearances in Marksmanship, took a leap of faith this year and created a 6-member team that has made quite the entrance into the field.
The teams late entry in the 2024-2025 season was mostly due to parts and the playing field being on back-order, so the Robo-Riders did not place their Robot, affectionately known as 56114-A, in his first competition until January 11th., 2025 The first meet held at Lake Belton, TX earned the team the title Robot Skills Champion. Up next the team participated in a virtual remote skills meet a mere two-days later where the team was ranked 1st and scored a total score of 77.
The team is comprised of team captain C/Sgt. Johnson Wei, C/Major Jaron Glaser, C/Captain Tina Tse and C/Privates Noah Maldonado and Gabriel Hernandez and coached by retired Maj. Jamelle Garner the Senior Army Instructor. This 6-member team exudes confidence, finesse on the playing field, strategy and humility with their wins. Later in January, the team placed 2nd in the state of Texas, VEX UIL Texas State Championship 6A match held in Houston, TX, all within the same month of entry into the field.
“Climbing the ranks in a months’ time has been surreal,” said C/Captain Tina Tse the teams parts repair and photographer, “I only wish we started the team earlier.”
Due to the teams immediate successes, they have been invited and will compete at the 2025 JROTC National Championship in Dallas, Texas May 8-11th at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Overall the team is very excited to attend this high level competition and are preparing their robot for battle on the playing field.