2024-2025 RoboVikes

Seniors

Sam Watkins

When Sam joined our program, he was just a 7th grader that wanted to build robots. His "Hexatread" robot design for 2020 NEOREP earned our team 2nd place overall in that competition. Since then, Sam has been a staple in our program. From Build Team Lead to Programming Team Lead, Sam's been an asset to RoboVikes since he joined. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was when he transitioned into more of a leadership role last year and mentored our newest team members, passing along his understanding of FTC. In addition to being our team captain, Sam is an Eagle Scout, participates in envirothon, prep bowl, student government, and was a Buckeye Boys State delegate here at LaBrae. His hobbies include flying R/C aircraft and 3D printing, which ties in with his future plans. Sam plans to earn an AFROTC scholarship and get his Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fl.

Alex Prouty

Alex is new to the program this year, though has thoroughly enjoyed his time in robotics class at LaBrae. He has a passion for engineering and science and describes himself as caring, strong, and unpredictable. When he's not helping the programming and build teams, you can find him on the baseball diamond, in the bowling alley, on the football field, or in band class...this guy does it all! He's in the Honors Band, on the honor roll, and is the American Legion Civics Test highest scorer. In his free time, he likes to practice music, read, play games, and weight lift. He wants to impart on the underclassmen here at LaBrae with some words of advice; Speak your mind and present your ideas clearly. You can be a problem solver, you just need to share what you think. Alex plans to study Aviation Engineering here in Ohio and enlist in the US Air Force where he hopes to be in contention to become a test pilot.

Underclassmen

Aaron

Drama club member, favorite class is study hall. Loyal and brutally honest. Wants to go to college to become a psychiatrist. Enjoys making jewelry in their free time.

Bryson

An outside the box thinker and builder. Hablas Espanol, plays baseball, football, and soccer. Wants to be a professional athlete, professional engineer, or professional surgeon.

Landon

Boy Scout and American History buff. Band member and track athlete. Wants to go to college for a nature-based major, enroll in the police academy, and become an ODNR resource officer.

Gavin

A technology buff that also likes to bowl. Enjoys science class, but his favorite is math. Wants to attend Kent State for computer science. Also likes to ride his bike.

Jonny

Heard RoboVikes was fun. Likes math, marching band, fishing, and throwing shot put. Wants to go to school for business administration or engineering.

Kayla

New to LaBrae, likes algebra, napping, video games, and her cats. Interested in majoring in physics and describes herself as whimsical and cool.

Connor

Works on robots and plays football. Likes to play video games, hang out with friends, and play guitar. Looking at a career in technology or construction after high school.

Kat

Loves history and robots. Also a drama club member, bowling team, and a member of the marching, jazz, and concert band. Wants to become an engineer someday.

Magnus

Likes computer chips and heavy metal music. Might have a loose screw or two...

Otto

New to LaBrae, wants to learn about robotic competitions. Gym class is his favorite, likes to game in his free time.

Steven

Mathlete and track athlete. Likes to play video games, play outside, and do robot stuff.

Not me

Rarely puts tools away, never around when you need him.

Mentors

Joe Slifka

Joe Slifka is a graduate of Boardman High School (2001) and Youngstown State University (2007) with a B.S. in Middle Childhood Education with concentrations in mathematics and science. He earned his M.A. in Teaching and Learning in K-12 Technology Integration from Nova Southeastern University in 2011.

Mr. Slifka has been appointed to the Pitsco Teacher Advisory Group since 2018. He spends most of the summer watching his daughters play travel softball and works at a local bicycle shop fixing and selling bikes, as he has done since 1999.

Jonathan McNemar

Jonathan McNemar is a graduate of LaBrae High School (2014) and Kent State University (2019) with a B.S. in Integrated Mathematics. Now in his fifth year of teaching, he is planning to earn a Masters degree in the future.

As a new mentor, he is looking forward to learning more about robotics and the engineering design process.

Brady Phillips

Brady Phillips is a graduate of LaBrae High School (2019) and The Ohio State University (2023) with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently pursuing his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at The Ohio State University. Brady currently works in the automotive industry as an Advanced Product Engineer.

As a 1st year mentor and former RoboVikes member, Brady is observing and learning on how to apply real-world industry knowledge and techniques into the robotics program. RoboVikes was a major reason he pursued his career in engineering, so he is hoping to pay it forward to the next generation.

Brady Phillips

Brady Phillips is a graduate of LaBrae High School (2019) and The Ohio State University (2023) with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently pursuing his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at The Ohio State University. Brady currently works in the automotive industry as an Advanced Product Engineer.

As a 1st year mentor and former RoboVikes member, Brady is observing and learning on how to apply real-world industry knowledge and techniques into the robotics program. RoboVikes was a major reason he pursued his career in engineering, so he is hoping to pay it forward to the next generation.