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North Salem Excellence: Robotics Team Bounds for World Championships

Group of students in black shirts in front of banner with red and blue balloons

There is something special happening in the workshops at North Salem High School. After an intense season of late-night builds and high-stakes strategy, the North Salem Robotics team has officially qualified for the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri.

This achievement marks only the second time in program history that the Vikings have reached this elite global stage, placing North Salem among the top tier of competitive engineering programs worldwide.

The "Monday Morning" Surprise

The path to Worlds was a true test of the "Viking Spirit." At the state tournament in early March, the team’s fate hung in the balance. Although the weekend was a whirlwind of competition, the official invitation arrived the following Monday.

"We kind of waited until Monday to celebrate... when it was confirmed, we were like, ‘Oh, we can actually be happy now!’" said sophomore Katie Blesoch.

For senior Ashley M. Torres Guevara, the journey has been a "rollercoaster of emotions" that has ultimately paved the way for her future; she plans to leverage her experience in the program to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

A Program Built on Grit and Growth

While the robots are the stars of the show, the growth of the students is the true success story. This year’s team is one of the largest in North’s history, showcasing the district's commitment to robust CTE pathways.

  • Engineering in Action: Students like sophomore Theodore King aren't just playing with kits; they are designing, 3D modeling, and programming complex machines from the ground up.
  • Leadership & Legacy: North Salem didn't just compete this year—they led. The school hosted three major tournaments, positioning our campus as a hub for STEM excellence in the Salem-Keizer area.
Arena with small square competition zones on the floor. A full audience in the stands on the right

Celebrating Our Staff & Community

Success at this level doesn't happen in a vacuum. The robotics program operates without designated competition funding, relying instead on the incredible dedication of our staff and the success of internal fundraisers.

We want to extend a massive thank you and congratulations to our coaches who have mentored these students through every "rollercoaster" moment this season: Greg Smith, Jason Hastings, Ash Schmal, and Susie Boehlke

"It gives a hands-on, concrete way to apply those engineering skills," says coach Susie Boehlke. "It provides a vital outlet for students to find their place."

What’s Next?

The team will represent the Salem-Keizer School District in St. Louis from April 21–24, joining 800 teams from over 60 countries.

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