07/22/2026
IRI may be over, but it’s given us a lot to reflect on.
One thing this past weekend reminded us is that FIRST is truly More Than Robots. 🤖❤️
People see a robot on the field for a few minutes. They don’t see the hundreds of hours behind it. The late nights. The broken parts. The strategy meetings. The programming. The wiring. The scouting. The marketing. The fundraising. The meals. The mentors. The families.
None of it just happens.
Just like any worthwhile endeavor, someone has to be willing to teach. Knowledge doesn’t magically appear. Students learn by doing, but first someone invests the time to guide them.
This weekend had its highs and its disappointments. We didn’t always agree with every strategic decision that was made, and we left knowing we were capable of more. That’s part of the sport. You celebrate the victories, learn from the setbacks, and come back stronger.
What makes us proud isn’t just how our robot performed. It’s watching our students grow. They take on more responsibility every season, become leaders, mentor younger teammates, solve problems under pressure, and keep showing up even when things don’t go their way.
At Alpha Bots, we believe no student should feel like they’re figuring it all out alone. We mentor. We teach. We encourage. We challenge. We celebrate. That’s how confidence is built, and that’s how future engineers, leaders, and problem solvers are made.
Thank you to everyone who cheered us on, supported us, and followed our journey at IRI. We may have left wanting a different ending, but we’re leaving with new lessons, stronger relationships, and even more determination for what’s next.
We’ll take a short break to recharge, continue learning, and be ready to hit the ground running for our next offseason event.
See you soon. 💙🤖
