Wildbots take ‘Nessie” to Tulsa and Sedalia for competitions

Addison Hill, Staff Writer • April 28, 2025

The robotics team celebrates as they advance to the nexst round of the March 21 contest. They included: (front row) seniors Jayden Culbertson, Emma Binnie, Marissa Ricke, Gabriel Wassman; (second row) sponsors Kerry Dehaan, Stacy Dehaan, seniors Christian Culbertson, Elijah Long; (third row) freshman Michelle Ricke, Emi Robbinett, juninor Hayley Boly, mentors Tyler Dehaan, Alyssa Clark; (back row) juniors Gaige Wright, JC Minks, sponsor Daniel Waller, and junior Eliana Jensen. They were 16th of 42 teams.

The Wildbots have had a successful, but challenging season this year. They were faced with building “Nessie,” the robot that has the ability to pick up PVC pipes and oversized dodgeballs.

Sponsor and science teacher Daniel Waller has been in charge of the robotics team for three years. Waller explains how Nessie is completely different then last year’s bot.

“This year’s robot had to do completely different tasks as last year. Last years’ picked up and shot rings and had to climb onto a chain. This year had to pick up and place pieces of PVC pipe, and pick up and place a huge oversized dodgeball,” Waller said.

Senior Christian Culbertson has said he wished they offered this program a lot earlier, and hopes that it can grow into something bigger and more popular. Culbertson has been in robotics for two years.

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“Academically, it is a lot better for an introduction to the STEM program. It is just one of the biggest programs you can go into. If you compare it to Sedalia, Project Lead the Way starts in elementary school. It can help lead the way to many college scholarships,” Culbertson said.

The Wildbots took a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma. They also went to a competition in Sedalia, which they have been to in previous years. Sedalia was a one-day event, while Tulsa was a competition that lasted up to four days. The Wildbots made it to day three in Tulsa, but fell before Sunday. They were ranked 15 out of 42 overall.

Freshman Michelle Ricke says she learned how to be more social and work better with wiring.

The Wildbots have worked a have worked a successful, but hard season. They have had setbacks and mishaps thrown their way, but they still fought hard. With the team’s season coming to a close, they are working on their last projects. Members have come up with a t-shirt cannon.

Junior Eliana Jensen has been in robotics for 2 ½ years. Her job this year was working media. Jensen explains that they weren’t quite ready in Sedalia, but were more prepared by Tulsa.

“In Sedalia, we weren’t quite ready. In Tulsa, we were more prepared,” Jensen said.

The Wildbots will enter their fourth season next year, with hopes of a better season. This robotics program is open to upcoming freshman to seniors. Anyone is welcome to join along and learn just what robotics really is.

About the Contributor

Addison Hill, Staff Writer

Freshman Addison Hill is a first-year journalist for the Warsaw High School newspaper staff. She is very excited to do interviews, and write stories for The Wildcat. She is involved in dance, cheerleading, 4-H, Track, Madrigal, and pep club. Outside of school, Hill can be found spending time with friends and family. After high school, she plans to attend medical school, and become an anesthesiologist. Her parents are Tiffany and Andy Hill. She is very excited to start this new writing journey!