Twenty-nine robotics teams comprising more than 300 students and 65 volunteers from across New Hampshire gathered at Plymouth State University on Saturday, October 19, for the seventh annual Governor’s Cup, an off-season robotics competition for the state’s high school FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams.
The event began in 2018 in cooperation with New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu's administration and has grown from a full-day exhibition and competition to a much-anticipated annual warm-up for the upcoming FIRST Robotics Competition season. Plymouth State University has hosted six of the seven Governor’s Cup events; a modified event was held virtually in 2020 due to COVID restrictions.
“One unique component of this event is that seniors on each of the three teams that receive the Governor’s Award are granted one-semester tuition waivers for USNH and CCSNH institutions,” said FIRST NH Communications Director Amy Bewley. “Participating in FIRST helps prepare young people for higher education by instilling a sense of curiosity, passion, creativity and gracious professionalism. FIRST NH is incredibly proud of these students and has high hopes for their future as innovators, leaders and compassionate members of society.”
In addition to providing the state’s high school robotics teams the opportunity to compete prior to the official season, the Governor’s Cup is a source for numerous awards and college scholarships. This year’s event sponsors included Eversource, BAE Systems, Fidelity Investments and Plymouth State University.
“Plymouth State University is proud to once again host this stimulating competition,” said PSU President Donald L. Birx, Ph.D. “As the first university in New Hampshire to offer a Bachelor of Science in Robotics, PSU is preparing the next generation of engineers with the interdisciplinary skills that converge under the robotics umbrella. We are continually amazed by the creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills these high school teams display as they come together to design, build and execute solutions to complex challenges.”
The Challenge
The 2024 Governor’s Cup competitors were tasked with completing a challenge called CRESCENDO, presented by Haas, where two competing alliances are invited to score notes, amplify their speaker, harmonize onstage, and take the spotlight before time runs out. Alliances earn additional points for meeting specific scoring thresholds and for cooperating with their opponents.
This year’s winning alliance was comprised of:
- Team 5813: Morpheus, Concord community team
- Team 3467: Windham Windup, Windham High School
- Team 7674: RaiderBots, Rochester High School
The 2024 finalist (runner-up) alliance was comprised of:
- Team 131: C.H.A.O.S., Manchester Central High School
- Team 166: Chop Shop, Merrimack High School
- Team 1073: The Force Team, Hollis Brookline High School
Scholarships and Awards
The Governor’s Award
Three teams, one from each of the northern, southern and central regions of the state, were honored with the Governor’s Award. Teams were chosen based on their enthusiasm for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), team dynamics, relationship with schools and sponsors and overall competition performance. Graduating seniors from each team received vouchers for one semester of free tuition to any University System of New Hampshire (USNH) or Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) institution.
The 2024 Governor’s Award-winning teams were – 18 total scholarships awarded:
- Team 8046: Lakerbots, Inter-Lakes High School
- Team 1721: Tidal Force, Concord High School
- Team 166: Chop Shop, Merrimack High School
$2,000 Individual Scholarships
Six high school seniors were awarded $2,000 individual scholarships to attend any USNH or CCSNH institution. Students were nominated by their adult mentors, and the scholarships are underwritten, in part, by Eversource, BAE Systems and Fidelity Investments. The 2024 scholarship recipients were:
- Maya More, Team 8410: Overdrive, Durham
- Makena Columb, Team 151: Nashua Tough Techs, Nashua
- Gavin Costa, Team 501: The Powerknights, Manchester High School West and Goffstown High School
- Ryan Burbo, Team 3467: Windham Windup, Windham High School
- Leland Borque, Team 8708: 0v3R1y K0Mp13X, Dunbarton
- Nathan Delhanty, Team 151: Nashua Tough Techs, Nashua
Plymouth State University Housing Scholarship
All competition participants were offered $1,000 on-campus housing scholarships for each year of enrollment at PSU.
2024 Judge Awards
Gracious Professionalism® Award
Celebrates outstanding demonstration of FIRST Core Values such as continuous Gracious Professionalism® working together both on and off the playing field:
Team 131: C.H.A.O.S., Manchester Central High School
Live Free or Die Safety Award
Celebrates the team that progresses beyond safety fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards:
Team 3323: Potential Energy, Campbell High School
Mill Yard Creativity Award
Celebrates creativity in design, use of component or strategy of play:
Team 6324: Blue Devils, Salem High School
Imagery Like the Kanc Award
Celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration of machine and team appearance:
Team 3467: Windham Windup, Windham High School
First in the Nation Spirit Award
Celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork furthering the objectives of FIRST:
Team 4925: The Resistance, Kingswood Regional High School
Winnipesaukee Judges Award
During the course of the competition, the judging panel may decide a team’s unique efforts, performance or dynamics merit recognition:
Team 5813: Morpheus, Concord community team
Lilac Mentor Award – NEW in 2024
Honors a FRC mentor, nominated by students, who embodies the essence of mentorship, offering guidance, support and inspiration to help others grow:
Brighid Wood, Team 1729: Team Inconceivable!, New Ipswich
For information about FIRST NH Governor’s Cup, visit https://firstnh.wixsite.com/firstnh.
