In today’s society, computers are a staple of our world and at Hawkins High School, it’s making a splash in our very own Robotics Club! Thanks to John Santos, a beloved CTE teacher who started the club back in 2012. Sadly, however, he passed away suddenly a few days before his birthday. Thanks to him, Robotics at Hawkins is known throughout LAUSD.
If you are into coding, building, and competition, this is the perfect place for you! The advisor, Ms. Kong, oversees the progress and allows the robotics team to take full advantage of their creativity.
“I’m just the advisor so I just overlook them and make sure they are getting their work done. Other than that, I let them work and build by themselves. This is their work” said Ms. Kong
With competitions on the way, the robotics team has never been busier, constantly buzzing with new ideas and smashing any obstacles that stand in their way. The competition they are currently working on is called FTC, First Tech Challenge, where they have to make a robot that shoots a ball into the scoring object, a bucket which sparks excitement in our young robotics members.
“I’m pretty excited to be working on this project with other people.. We are excited to see the finished product” said Bryan Ortega
Not only do the robotics team participate in competitions, but they also host competitions in our very own school. On October 27, 2025, Augustus Hawkins High School had hosted their first robotics competition of the season for our young elementary and middle school students!
“It was a very interesting and unique experience. We had to have four separate sections and two weeks to build it with everything we had. It was difficult but very fun.” expressed Bryan Ortega
Many of our robotics crew members, like Joshua Blevins and Bryan Ortega, had joined robotics for a greater passion in engineering,
“Anything with computers and coding really. I know engineering sometimes needs some type of coding experience, so this is It.” said Bryan Ortega.
With competitions underway, like the JPL Tournament, FTC Scrimmage on Saturday NOV.8) , VEX IQ (NOV.15) , and another VEX IQ Competition (DEC 15), they are bumbling with activity in room 301 so come on down to see what they are up to. Take interest in the robotics team if you are into computers, coding, or building robots.
Photos taken by Van Sanchez and Dylan Perez
