As the 2015-’16 state Vex competition approaches, NHS’s Vex robotics team is preparing for a tough event ahead of them because dedication and teamwork is what is required in order to take state for the second year in a row.

The objective of the game this year is to throw as many balls into the hoop-like goals as possible before the time runs out. Teams must build and program a robot to accomplish this objective as well as contest other robots. Skill, practice and robot building skills will ultimately decide, which team will triumph state this year.

“Coming off first place last year, I hope to finish my senior year as a champion,” said Alex Mootz, a senior experienced in Vex robotics. But taking state this year will not be an easy task because of increased popularity in robotics making opposing teams stronger and more abundant.

Senior Evan Dujardin, however, another student in Vex, is confident about his team this year and stresses how important teamwork and communication is in order to stay afloat in the competition.

“If your team can’t communicate effectively, you have no hope of being successful,” Dujardin said, reinforcing the importance of collaboration.

In addition to core skills to make a team work, Neenah’s Vex team has a unique strategy as well; Instead of building a launching device, Mootz’s team is attempting to take advantage of the balls on the field and score more efficiently.

“Our strategy for the competition is to create a robot that can do what most robots are unable to do,” Mootz said with confidence.

Mootz, Dujardin and many other students in Vex plan on pursuing a career focused in a mechanical-like field, practicing many of the trades found building with Vex. Mootz said he wishes to pursue a degree in computer engineering, maybe attending Minnesota Twins-Cities or another school specializing in engineering.