The competition was fierce at the Junior-Senior High School, as the school hosted the VEX IQ Challenge Next Level Middle School Qualifying Tournament on Dec. 8.

The competition consisted of 42 teams from across the Southern New York Region, including four teams from East Rockaway Junior High School, Centre Avenue and Rhame Avenue elementary schools. A total of 26 East Rockaway students participated in the tournament. The district’s top team, which included students Nicholas Alter, Andrew Calise, Jordan Lu, John O'Hanlon, Louis Perri and Jorge Wayar, placed seventh in qualifications and seventh in the Robot Skills Challenge.

Congratulations to all the teams that competed and to Robotics Club Advisors Nick Cimorelli, Michelle Healy and Hugh Howard for hosting one of the largest qualifying events in the region.