At the start of the summer, Ben Lippen School sent a team of high school students to the Netherlands to compete in a world championship robotics tournament. We spoke with David Rios, a member of our high school faculty and head of the robotics program, to hear more about the experience, reflect on the lessons learned, and discuss what this milestone means for the future of Ben Lippen Robotics.

Tell us about the tournament. What did students have to do to compete?
This was a championship-level international robotics tournament that brought together the best FIRST Tech Challenge teams from around the world. The level of talent, creativity, and engineering on display was unlike anything we had experienced before.

Teams were required to design, build, program, and continually improve their robots to complete complex game challenges. They had to problem solve on the fly, repair hardware under pressure, work with alliance partners, and stay mentally and physically ready through long competition days.

Why was it important for Ben Lippen to go to this competition?
This competition gave our students the opportunity to represent Ben Lippen School, South Carolina, and the United States on a world stage. Being part of the European Premier Event in the Netherlands showed our students what is possible when hard work meets opportunity. Only selected teams had the opportunity to compete in this European championship tournament. No doubt, it strengthened our program, challenged our students, and affirmed that what we are building at Ben Lippen truly belongs among the best in world!

What was the best part of the tournament?
The best part of the tournament was watching our students rise to the challenge when everything seemed stacked against them. Our Control Hub completely died, and we continued to face challenges because of other damage to our components and parts. Instead of panic or frustration, the team leaned in. They stayed late, solved problem after problem, and sacrificed a lot to get the robot back into competitive shape. Watching their perseverance and teamwork in that moment was honestly incredible. 
After this tournament, our program can now say that we are a world-tested Premier Robotics Program that has competed at the highest levels of international robotics. Our students train in industry-grade environments, work with advanced tools and software, and are challenged to grow in both technical excellence and character. While we are still learning and improving, this experience affirmed that our program belongs on the global stage and continues to move forward with faith, humility, and resilience.

What was the outcome of the competition?
We had the opportunity to compete alongside some of the top teams in the world and finished 31st in our competition division. We were one of 105 teams representing 33 different countries from across Europe and beyond. Considering the level of competition and the challenges we had to overcome, this was a meaningful accomplishment for our students and a moment they can be proud of. At the same time, this experience reminded us how much there is still to learn and how much room we have to grow. Our program returns home grateful, motivated, and better prepared, having been tested on a world stage and strengthened in faith, excellence, and resilience.

What did our students take away from this opportunity?
Our students learned what resilience really looks like. They learned how to adapt when plans fall apart, how to work through exhaustion and jet lag, and how to keep pushing forward even when the pressure is high. They also learned how to represent Christ well, not just in success, but in how they handled challenges, treated other teams, and supported one another.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the Ben Lippen community?
This journey was not easy. We faced real setbacks, long nights, and moments where quitting would have been the easier choice. Instead, our students showed grit, perseverance, and unity. They competed against incredible teams from 33 nations and came away with lifelong lessons and unforgettable memories.

I am incredibly thankful for the prayers and support that made this experience possible, and honored to walk alongside students who represented Ben Lippen and Christ with excellence on a global stage.