Dozens of high school teams from across Long Island gathered for a two-day FIRST Robotics Competition, where students put their engineering, teamwork and leadership skills to the test in fast-paced matches.

“It’s so inspiring and heartwarming,” said Patrise Miller, executive director of FIRST Long Island. “These are the kids that are going to lead us through the next generation of technology and the workforce in general.”

Each team designs, builds and programs its own robot – a process that can take months of preparation. For many students, the competition is the culmination of years of hard work.

“It’s pretty rewarding. I have put in a lot of work over the last four years, and I am really proud of this team and what we’ve done, and I hope we can go further,” said Aaryan Rupesh, senior and team captain of Bethpage’s Regal Eagle Rampage.

But beyond the competition itself, students say the experience is about more than just winning.

“It’s honestly so rewarding… you come out of it better and stronger with your team, and you’re closer with your team,” said Varshitha Prithivi, vice president of the Smithtown Mechanical Bulls.

Sponsors like Optimum have supported the program for years, helping expand opportunities for students interested in STEM fields. “It feels wonderful,” said Allison Aylward, Optimum’s director of community affairs. “We have been a sponsor for these teams for many years now… and it goes a long way.”

For these students, the competition is not just about building robots, it’s about building skills that will shape their futures.