In just their third year as a program, Chicago Christian High School’s robotics team, the RoboKnights, made a name for themselves by competing at the Illinois State Championship. The team, based out of the school at 12001 S Oak Park Ave. in Palos Heights, traveled to Elgin Community College on Feb. 28 and March 1, where they faced off against some of the best high school robotics teams in the state.
With a strong performance in their division, the RoboKnights placed ninth, securing a spot in the playoffs. Though they ultimately fell to a higher-seeded team, their journey to state was a significant achievement, especially considering the competitive nature of FIRST Robotics.
“To qualify for state, we had to win our state qualifying tournament, meaning that our partner and us were the top alliance out of the 27 teams there,” said Ryan Verver, chemistry teacher and head robotics coach at CCHS. “Unlike some other competitions, where almost everyone qualifies, FIRST Robotics makes going to state an exclusive and special thing. This was huge for us as a team because we are only in our third year. To get to this level so soon is a real accomplishment.”
The RoboKnights, known officially as Team 21333, consist of 10 members: one senior, eight juniors, and one sophomore. They are joined by a junior varsity squad, RoboKnights Reloaded (Team 26980), which has 10 students ranging from freshmen to juniors.
The teams meet multiple times a week, typically two evenings after school and on Saturday mornings, dedicating long hours to designing, building, and programming their robots.
Within the team, members take on specialized roles. The build team constructs the robot, the code team wires and programs it, and the scouting team analyzes other competitors to develop strategy. Additionally, a marketing team connects with sponsors, and an awards team prepares the portfolio and presentations for judged competitions.
For the students, the experience of competing at state was about more than just rankings. It was about the atmosphere, teamwork, and the thrill of being part of something bigger.
“My favorite part of going to state was the environment and community,” said Stephen Gordon, a junior from Chicago. “Even though it was a stressful time, people made it easy to get along with them, and I enjoyed it a lot.”
Jayden Zhang, a junior from Crestwood, echoed the excitement. “State was very fun, even though we didn’t win. We still had a good time and enjoyed the experience. Go RoboKnights!”
Sophomore Dylan Lester, of Palos Heights, was impressed by the scale of the event. “It was really fun. I liked just seeing all the teams from around the state,” he said.
Beyond the competitions, the RoboKnights offer students the opportunity to develop crucial STEM and life skills. Verver emphasized the value of robotics in preparing students for the future.
“Robotics teaches so many 21st-century skills that are relevant to their lives,” he said. “Not only are they learning engineering, coding, programming, and modeling, but they’re also developing problem-solving skills, teamwork, and perseverance. These are essential for both college and career.”
The team’s success wouldn’t be possible without the support of the school and their sponsors. From financial contributions to providing materials and advice, their backing has been crucial in helping the RoboKnights grow, Verver said.
With a strong foundation and a bright future ahead, the RoboKnights are proving that they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of high school robotics.
Looking ahead, Chicago Christian High School will be hosting a summer robotics camp from June 23-26, open to students entering grades 4-9. Sessions will run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day, offering younger students a chance to get hands-on experience in robotics. For more information, families can contact CCHS at 708-388-7650.
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