For 10 high-octane days this April, the eyes of the global robotics community were fixed on the America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. Amidst the whirring of gears and the cheers of thousands of students from over 50 countries, a familiar Ladue voice led the charge.

Ben Reiser, a senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, achieved the ultimate "hometown hero" milestone: being selected as one of only 20 emcees worldwide for the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship.

But Ben’s journey to the microphone wasn’t just about public speaking; it was a masterclass in leadership, self-discovery, and the power of a Ladue Schools education.

Before he was the "Voice of Missouri VEX," Ben was a titan on the field. As the driver for the legendary Ladue team 69955X "Gheese," Ben held a top-60 world driving score and a Missouri state record that remains unbeaten. However, after years of grueling 12-hour days and intense competition, Ben faced a crossroads.

"I loved VEX, and I loved driving, but the amount of time I was spending had just become too much of a cost," Ben recalls. In a moment of profound maturity, he chose to step back from the driver's seat to focus on leading the club and mentoring younger students.

What started as a quiet transition into coaching quickly became a new passion. After a guest emcee spot at a local tournament, word of Ben’s infectious energy spread. Soon, he became the official emcee for nearly every competition in the state.

Ben credits his success to the "pipeline" of support within the Ladue School District. From the moment Eric Brown started the VEX club during Ben’s 6th-grade year, the district’s commitment to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) provided the perfect environment for Ben to thrive.

“Mr. Brown and Mrs. Hannah Behr always encouraged me to try, to push my limits of what was possible," Ben says. "They never told me to limit myself. Every single teacher at Ladue creates this environment where you're not afraid to be yourself."

That culture of encouragement allowed Ben to pay it forward. When he and his best friend, Natalie Brunworth, worked to fund and start the high school club as freshmen, Ben’s goal was to ensure the community they loved would outlast his time there. Thanks to the collaboration between students and mentors like Mrs. Eliza Lazaro and Mr. Brown, Ladue Schools now boasts a "VEX pipeline" that spans from 6th grade through senior year.

"Next year we are possibly going to have six teams at the high school, and I couldn't be more proud," Ben says. "But I am most proud of the community that we've created. "

One of Ben’s most personal triumphs is learning to harness his natural energy. Diagnosed with ADHD at age three, Ben eventually realized that his high energy wasn't a distraction; it was his superpower.

"I find that I feed off the energy of a room," Ben explains. While other emcees were exhausted by Day 10 of the World Championship, Ben was still going strong. "The perks of 'being Ben', as my friends put it, really helped carry my energy through the whole event!"

As Ben prepares to graduate and move on to his next chapter, his heart remains with the program he helped build. He dreams of one day emceeing a World Championship match featuring a Ladue team he once mentored.

When asked what advice he has for fellow students chasing their own dreams, Ben leans on a favorite quote from the TV show, How I Met Your Mother:

"Don’t stop, ever. Even when people roll their eyes and call you crazy, even then, especially then."

"No matter what you choose to do in this life," Ben adds, "if it feels right for you, don’t let anyone stop you. Stepping into the America’s Center was one of the proudest moments of my life because it meant I had made it. It took a while, but I had carved my own path in life. My parents and family had been so supportive, but I put in the work and got there on my own merits, and that feeling is unmatched."

The Ladue School District congratulates Ben Reiser on this incredible achievement! We are proud to have him representing our community on the world stage.