Nethra Vidyalaya’s robotics team journey:
Nethra Vidyalaya's visually challenged robotics team, Thought Notch Robotica, embarked on an inspiring journey to the USA to participate in the FIRST World Championship! This event, renowned for bringing together the brightest young minds in robotics, served as a platform for the team to showcase their skills, creativity, and innovation on a global stage.
The team's journey was not just about competition but also about learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange. They interacted with teams from around the world, gained exposure to advanced robotics technologies, and shared their unique perspectives and experiences. This participation not only highlighted their technical prowess but also underscored the importance of inclusive education and the remarkable achievements possible when barriers are overcome.
Hi, my name is Oviya Jaisankar. I’m a VT Seva Detroit Youth volunteer and a team captain for my robotics team. I’m excited to share my journey in raising money to provide equality in engineering for a visually challenged team’s FIRST Championship dream.
The Fundraising Process
In March and April of 2024, dedicated VT Seva volunteers launched an inspiring mission - to fund the journeys and registrations of Nethra Vidyalaya students to the prestigious FIRST Robotics World Championship. Each volunteer-created their own Flipcause page to fuel this fundraising endeavor, transforming personal initiative into collective support.
As a passionate robotics student, team captain, and long-time VT Seva volunteer, I felt an immediate drive to lead this cause. The Thought Notch Robotica team’s hard work and dedication earned them an invitation to the World Championship, and I wanted to ensure they experienced this incredible opportunity. Drawing from my own unforgettable experiences at the Houston World Championship, I launched my Flipcause page and rallied support from friends and family, passionately explaining the cause and my personal connection to it. My brother Harish, previously a robotics team captain and currently a mentor for our team, was the first one to support my campaign. Despite the initial surge of backing, I knew I needed to amplify my efforts, leading to the idea of organizing a Bottle/Can drive in my local neighborhoods.
Our First Fundraiser
To kickstart the drive, I crafted a compelling flyer detailing the cause and the initiative. After several drafts to ensure it was perfect, my brother and I spent an evening distributing these flyers to doorsteps throughout the community, sharing our vision and goals with our neighbors.
Weeks later, we eagerly drove through the neighborhoods to collect bags of bottles and cans left on porches. After a productive afternoon, we visited local supermarkets to recycle the cans and convert them into donations for our fundraiser.
The success of the bottle/can drive was encouraging, but I knew my efforts couldn't stop there. Driven by a desire to do more, I brainstormed new ideas and decided to inspire my robotics team to support an international team, recognizing the shared dedication and hard work required to reach this milestone.
Support from Team 2832, the Livonia Warriors
With this new vision, I approached my head coach Ms. Isolina Carlini of the Livonia Warriors Team 2832 and passionately shared our fundraiser details, information about the cause, and the dedication of our incredible Nethra Vidyalaya students. Her enthusiasm was contagious! Together, we established a Flipcause page for our team and circulated the cause’s details among team members and their families. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with donations pouring in from our Livonia Robotics community.
To further our efforts, we organized restaurant fundraisers at two local eateries. These events not only raised substantial funds but also brought the community together in support of our mission. The success of these fundraisers was a testament to our team’s dedication and the community’s willingness to support a meaningful cause. Additionally, we posted flyers about the fundraiser during our home robotics competition at Livonia Churchill High School, significantly boosting our impact.
Looking Forward
I'm proud to announce that our Livonia teams will continue supporting Thought Notch Robotica in the coming years, assisting with seasonal expenses and even securing corporate sponsors for the team.
Participating in this fundraiser has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s heartwarming to help others experience the thrill of the FIRST World Championship and witness the fruition of their hard work. Conceiving and executing ideas to fund these deserving students has been a fulfilling journey, and I eagerly anticipate their future achievements.
A huge thanks to my Robotics team, friends, and family for all the support provided for this fundraiser!
With everyone’s support, Nethra Vidyalaya's robotics team attended their first-ever FIRST World’s Championship team demonstrated their commitment to excellence and their ability to compete at an international level, inspiring others and bringing pride to their community.
Blog written by: Oviya Jaisankar (VTSeva Detroit Youth Board Member)
Blog published by: Nandini Cheemalamarri (VTSeva Detroit Communications)
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