Cincinnati, Ohio — March 4, 2026
Horizon Science Academy Cincinnati is proud to announce that the Rock and Roll Robotics Team has won 1st Place at the VEX IQ Robotics State Championship, held March 2–3 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Their outstanding performance earned them the event’s highest honor—the Teamwork Championship Award—securing their place at the VEX Robotics World Championship this April in St. Louis.
The team, made up of students Isaiah Calloway, Jerry Drew, and Ramonte Boykin and led by Coach Zak, impressed judges with their engineering, programming, teamwork, and strategic skill in this year’s VEX IQ challenge, “Mix and Match.” The challenge required teams to design and program robots capable of sorting and scoring game elements while working cooperatively with alliance partners.
In addition to their championship title, the Rock and Roll Robotics Team also received the Sportsmanship Award, recognizing their professionalism, collaboration, and the positive way they represented the Horizon Science Academy Cincinnati community.
“This achievement was truly a team effort,” said Coach Zak. “I’m incredibly grateful to the staff who supported our students by covering classes and allowing us the time during SOAR to prepare, practice, and make this success possible.”
Season Achievements
Throughout the 2025–2026 season, the team has consistently excelled in regional and state events. Their accomplishments this year include:
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Teamwork Champion Award – VEX IQ State Match
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Sportsmanship Award – VEX IQ State Match
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Teamwork Champion Award – Regional Qualifying Tournament
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Robot Skills Champion – Regional Competition
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Design Award – Innovation in Robot Engineering
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Excellence Award – Overall Performance and Program Quality
“These students have shown tremendous dedication, creativity, and perseverance,” said Sandra Felicies, Assistant Principal of Academics. “Isaiah, Jerry, Ramonte, and Coach Zak have made our entire school community proud, and we cannot wait to see them shine on the world stage.”
The Horizon Science Academy Cincinnati community congratulates the Rock and Roll Robotics Team on their incredible achievements and wishes them the best as they prepare for the VEX Robotics World Championship.