At Mineola High School, robotics is far more than an after‑school activity – it is a hub of engineering excellence, student empowerment and community engagement. This year, FRC Team 6806, “The Mineola Wild Reds,” are powered by a leadership slate that reflects both outreach and engineering strength: senior Julianna Riley and junior Lily Wasserman co‑lead Outreach and Fundraising, while seniors Nicole Liu and Igor DeSouza spearhead the build side – and, true to the team’s culture, also contribute heavily to outreach across the district.

BUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP

Unlike many teams that outsource the manufacturing of robot components, the Mineola Wild Reds take pride in building nearly everything themselves. With access to the school's Fab Lab, students design and fabricate custom parts using CNC machinery, laser cutters and 3D printers – even printing their own team T-shirts. Nicole says this hands on process is central to the team’s identity. “When we build everything in‑house, we all get why each part matters,” Nicole explained. “It’s not just a robot someone handed us—we made it, so we take pride in how it performs.”

Not only do students create their own parts, but they also support neighboring teams who lack access to similar equipment – an example of the FIRST Robotics philosophy of “gracious professionalism” in action. 

A CULTURE OF MENTORSHIP

Mineola’s high school robotics program includes both FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) for students in grades 10-12 and FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) for students in grades 8-9, with both teams working side by side throughout the season. FRC members contribute more than 1,500 hours each year mentoring their FTC counterparts, offering guidance in coding, mechanical build work and overall robot design. Many students, like Julianna, began their robotics journeys in FTC before transitioning into the more advanced FRC level. “It becomes a family,” she shared. “You grow up through the program.”

The Wild Reds are also known district‑wide and beyond for their extensive outreach efforts. For eight consecutive years, the team has hosted FIRST LEGO League competitions, welcoming young teams from across Long Island and providing tours of Mineola’s state‑of‑the‑art robotics space. Igor says that mentoring younger students is especially meaningful because of his own progression through the program. “I started in elementary school with FIRST LEGO League, so helping the younger teams now feels like giving back,” he said. “We’re not just building a robot – we’re helping build the next group of leaders who will take the program even further.”

LEADING THROUGH SERVICE

The Wild Reds influence extends far beyond the district. Each year, the team fundraises for the Umoja Foundation’s Reason 2 Smile Library in rural Kenya, which receives over 10,000 visitors annually. Last year, students raised enough funds for 50 books and 15 STEM activity kits – and even shipped additional wooden puzzles overseas. This year, students are taking fundraising a step further by designing and laser-cutting their own wooden puzzle kits in collaboration with Mineola’s RISE program for students with disabilities.

Thanks to our engaged alumni, the team recently became a registered nonprofit developed to specifically to support Mineola families by offsetting participation and travel costs. Through the generosity of the community, they help ensure resources remain accessible and sustainable for current students and increase access for students who may not otherwise afford travel or participation fees.

INCLUSION AT THE CENTER

For team members, inclusion is not an add-on – it’s foundational. The team works closely with RISE classes, visiting monthly to engage students in hands-on STEM activities like puzzle building and Legos. These experiences are designed to support students who benefit from tactile learning and peer interaction.

Mineola’s robotics students also visit the district’s elementary schools, introducing coding and robotics through activities like Ozobots, Dash robots and visual block coding. To support the district’s many English language learners, they’ve adapted their lessons with visual aids and bilingual assistance, ensuring every child can participate meaningfully.

FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE GLOBAL STAGE

The Wild Reds have qualified for the FIRST World Championships in Texas for three consecutive years – a remarkable accomplishment for a team of only 20 members. Each competition season demands intense preparation. Students specialize in roles such as driver, operator, pit mechanic, strategist or spokesperson. The pace is fast – fixes need to happen in minutes, and pit areas resemble miniature Formula 1 garages.

FIRST competitions also double as networking events. Through them, students have presented to representatives from Optimum, Zebra Technologies, NASA and other organizations, earning sponsorships and developing invaluable professional skills.

STUDENT-LED, STUDENT-DRIVEN

One of the team’s greatest strengths is its student leadership model. Students organize fundraisers, secure sponsorships, manage outreach and even contact local businesses and community partners themselves. “If you want to make something happen – an event, a fundraiser, an idea – you step up and lead it,” Lily explains. “It fosters responsibility and helps develop leadership skills. That’s what makes this team so special.”

A MODEL OF DIVERSITY AND REPRESENTATION

The Wild Reds take pride in being more than 50% women and approximately 75% minority, reflecting the diversity of the Mineola community. Their multilingual outreach efforts, collaboration with an international school in Lisbon and dedication to lifting up underrepresented students exemplify the inclusive spirit of FIRST Robotics.

BEYOND STEM

For many students, robotics unlocks passions they didn’t expect. Julianna, who plans to study political science, shared that robotics unexpectedly introduced her to government and civic engagement. Through their nonprofit work, the team has spoken with local officials, participated in town hall meetings, toured with international student groups and even welcomed members of the Portuguese Assembly. “It makes everything feel real,” she said. “What we do here makes an impact.”

THE FUTURE OF MINEOLA ROBOTICS

As the Wild Reds prepare for this year’s regional competitions and aim for another trip to the World Championships, the team remains grounded in the values that make their program special: innovation, community, mentorship, diversity and the belief that students – when empowered – can do extraordinary things.