The gymnasium at Lake Minneola High School was filled with energy and innovation on Saturday, October 17, 2026, as youth innovators gathered for the 9th Annual Lake County Robotics Scrimmage hosted by the Education Foundation of Lake County. The annual program brought together 20 elementary and middle school teams for a hands-on competition centered on real-time problem-solving, collaboration, and STEM learning.
Designed to mimic an official VEX IQ Qualifying Tournament, the scrimmage provided students with a platform to test their custom-built robots, refine their programming skills, and strategize alongside peer teams in a high-energy environment. This was not an official qualifying tournament, allowing teams to heavily focus on skill-building and developing confidence with new robots. Team performances were evaluated and recognized for top honors across multiple award categories such as “Design Award,” “Amaze Award,” “Judges Award,” and “Sportsmanship Award,” to name a few. The coveted Overall Excellence Awards were presented to:
- Elementary Division: Cypress Ridge Elementary – Team 10511E
- Middle School Division: Aurelia M. Cole Academy – Team 99553B
“The enthusiasm and critical thinking displayed by these students throughout the day was truly remarkable,” said Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, Executive Director of the Education Foundation of Lake County. “This event gives student a practical, exciting way to apply science, technology, engineering, and math concepts while building essential teamwork skills. For some, this is their first time on a robotics team, so it is a great way to introduce them to a competition.”
The success of the scrimmage was made possible through the generous support of community partners and sponsors, including Duke Energy, Comcast, SECO Energy, Campus USA Credit Union, and the Largey Law Firm. Lunch for all participants and volunteers was provided by Little Caesars Pizza. A special thank you to the Robotics Scrimmage Coordinator, Mr. Anthony Ritter of Lake-Sumter State College.
For more information about STEM initiatives or upcoming events supported by the Education Foundation of Lake County, please visit https://edfoundationlake.com/ or call (352) 326-1265.
About The Education Foundation of Lake County
The Education Foundation of Lake County serves as the connection between our community and public education, evaluating needs and securing resources to enhance the quality of education. Offering various programs and initiatives to support students and educators throughout Lake County, the Foundation acts as a vital link between local partners and public schools. The Education Foundation of Lake County is a proud member of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.
