The eyes of the global robotics community were on downtown St. Louis this past weekend as the Dome at America’s Center hosted the 2026 VEX World Championships. Among the 581 elite middle school teams from across the globe, Ladue Middle School (LMS) stood tall, delivering a performance defined by technical skill, resilience, and exemplary character.

"Our community truly showed up in full force," said LMS Industrial Technology teacher and Robotics coach Eric Brown. "Beyond our competitors, it was amazing to see so many LMS students in attendance as spectators and volunteers. It made me proud at every turn."

The scale of the VEX World Championships is staggering. Teams were divided into seven divisions of 83 teams each, with every group battling through over 200 qualifying matches. To advance to the elimination rounds, teams had to prove their consistency and adaptability while working with randomly assigned partners from different countries.

Team 69955A: “The Lemonkeys”

Members: Mithran Ramesh, Irene Ruamwijitphong, Allie Fang, Michael Liu, Avery Zhou, and Hamsika Gondi

Competing in the high-stakes Science Division, The Lemonkeys put together a fantastic run. Finishing the qualifying round with a strong 6-4 record, they earned a spot in the elimination bracket as part of the 15th-seeded alliance.

In their elimination match against the 2nd-seeded alliance, the team faced a sudden challenge when their alliance partner’s robot malfunctioned. Forced into a 2-on-1 situation, The Lemonkeys showed incredible composure and skill, fighting until the final buzzer. Though their tournament run ended there, their ability to perform under immense pressure earned them widespread respect.

Team 69955B: “Big Hero 6”

Members: Alice Chang, Phoebe Xie, Rachel Liu, Isabel Li, and Nicole Yang

Competing in the Technology Division, Big Hero 6 made an impact that resonated far beyond the scoreboard. Their infectious energy and positivity caught the attention of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (the event organizers), who selected the team for a unique honor: Official Event Documentarians.

Armed with a digital camera, the team captured over 500 photos of the World Championship experience. Their work was so impressive that several of their photos were featured during the closing ceremonies in front of thousands of attendees at The Dome.

The highlight of the weekend came during the final awards ceremony. Out of 581 teams representing the world's best robotics programs, Big Hero 6 was one of only 14 to receive the prestigious Judges Award.

Aside from performance-based trophies, the Judges Award is one of the most coveted honors in VEX Robotics. It recognizes a team that stands out for:

• Exceptional effort and perseverance
• A positive and inspiring presence
• Strong communication and professionalism
• Commitment to student-centered values

The success of our robotics program is a key pillar of the district's commitment to STEM excellence. By competing on a global stage, these students are mastering the durable skills of collaborative engineering, strategic thinking, and global citizenship.

Please join us in congratulating both teams, Coach Eric Brown, and all the volunteers for an unforgettable weekend and for representing Ladue Schools with such distinction on the world stage!