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SMP News
Lightsaders Take on the World at FIRST Championship
St. Michael’s Prep FTC robotics team #12928 places 13th in its division at the world’s largest robotics event for students in grades 7–12.
AUSTIN, Texas — May 6, 2026 — The St. Michael’s Prep Lightsaders recently took their talents to the world stage, competing at the 2026 FIRST® Tech Challenge World Championship, part of the FIRST® Championship presented by BAE Systems.
Known among competitors simply as “Worlds,” the FIRST Championship is the culminating international event of the youth robotics competition season and a global celebration of STEM innovation, engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving. This year’s FIRST Tech Challenge brought together 335 FTC teams from more than 60 countries, including Kazakhstan, China, Brazil, Vietnam, Israel, and many others, representing the highest level of competition in the program.
Against this extraordinary field, the Lightsaders delivered an outstanding performance, placing 13th in their division and once again demonstrating the skill, discipline, and ingenuity that have defined their season.
Their performance at Worlds followed a historic achievement at the 2026 TAPPS State Robotics Championships, where the Lightsaders captured their fourth straight state title. The four-peat reflects the team’s sustained excellence, technical skill, strategic thinking, and commitment to continuous improvement year after year.
At the FIRST Championship, the Lightsaders put their award-winning robot to the test against some of the most talented student robotics teams in the world. Throughout the competition, team members adapted, collaborated, problem-solved, and persevered through the fast-paced challenges that make FIRST Tech Challenge one of the premier robotics programs for students.
This year’s appearance marks St. Michael’s Prep’s fourth qualification for the FIRST World Championship, adding to an impressive robotics legacy that includes appearances as both Division Finalist and Championship Finalist Alliance members. Over the years, the Lightsaders have earned prestigious Innovation, Design, and Inspire Awards, recognizing excellence in engineering, creativity, strategic thinking, teamwork, and leadership.
In 2024, the Lightsaders advanced to the finals of their division at the FIRST World Championship — a distinction reserved for only the highest-performing teams in the world. Their continued success reflects not only technical talent, but also the team’s commitment to resilience, teamwork, and shared purpose.
Beyond the results, the experience offered students the opportunity to collaborate and compete alongside peers from around the globe, building skills, friendships, and perspectives that will last well beyond the robotics arena.
For the Lightsaders, Worlds was about far more than robots. It was about perseverance, teamwork, global collaboration, and representing St. Michael’s Prep with excellence on an international stage.
Congratulations to the Lightsaders on an exceptional season, a fourth consecutive TAPPS State Robotics Championship, and an inspiring performance at the FIRST Championship. St. Michael’s Prep is proud of the hard work, discipline, creativity, and dedication you demonstrated throughout the year.
Go Lightsaders! Go Warriors!
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St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, age, gender, national or ethnic origin in : (i) the admission of students; (ii) the offerings of rights, privileges, programs, or activities generally made available to their students; or (iii) the administration of educational policies, financial grant programs, athletic programs, employment practices or policies, or other school-administered programs.
St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, age, gender, national or ethnic origin in : (i) the admission of students; (ii) the offerings of rights, privileges, programs, or activities generally made available to their students; or (iii) the administration of educational policies, financial grant programs, athletic programs, employment practices or policies, or other school-administered programs.
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