Headland High Robotics Team Heads to Global Competition

A Small Town's Big Dream

Headland, Alabama is making waves on the global stage with its robotics team, the Headland Rams "Country Bumpkins," as they prepare to compete at the VEX Robotics World Championship this April in St. Louis. This prestigious event will bring together over 840 top-performing robotics teams from around the world, showcasing their innovation, engineering skills, and teamwork.

The VEX Worlds competition provides a unique platform for students to learn from one another’s engineering programs and teamwork styles. For many members of the Headland team, earning a spot at Worlds seemed out of reach until their hard work paid off. The journey to this point has been a testament to their dedication and the support they've received from their community.

The Journey to Success

For Alex Hutchinson, a 9th-grade engineering notebooker for the team, the experience is both exciting and educational. “Vex Worlds is a massive program. You get to see how each other’s programs work and see how they communicate, and how different teams work,” he shared.

Aubrey Moore, an 11th-grade main engineering notebooker, echoed similar sentiments. “People from smaller schools can do really big things. We never expected we were gonna do it—when it happened, we were freaking out,” she said.

Each member of the team plays a crucial role in the robot’s performance. As the main coder, Charlie Arndt, a 10th grader, explains: “As the coder, I have to program the robot to pretty much do everything… we pick up blocks, put them into goals, and push them in further so we get more points.”

Meanwhile, Cooper Herbold, the 12th-grade main builder and driver, emphasizes the importance of collaboration. “The biggest thing is no one person can do everything… we have a coder, two notebookers, and people who take on different roles because the other person does not have the skill set to.”

Building a Strong Team

After seven years of work and steady program growth, the Headland robotics students are finally seeing their dreams realized. Their success reflects not only their dedication but also the ongoing support from the Headland community and Henry County School District.

The team’s journey to Worlds marks a life-changing milestone, one that encourages younger students to pursue future opportunities in STEM, engineering, and technology. Herbold adds, “The biggest thing is no one person can do everything. So, like my role, I’m the main builder and driver. We have a coder, we have two notebookers, and we have people who take on different roles because the other person does not have the skill set to do so.”

This life-changing experience inspires future pursuits in science and technology. It highlights the power of teamwork, perseverance, and the impact that a strong community can have on young minds. As the Headland Rams prepare to take on the world, they serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for students everywhere.