Ironmen Robotics Holds its Annual Recognition Dinner

By Thomas MacDougall ’25

PARK RIDGE, NJ – On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, Ironmen Robotics held its recognition dinner at the Marriott in Park Ridge, New Jersey, to celebrate the many successes that came with this year’s robotics season.  The evening began with fine dining and a period of socialization.  Many notable members of the Don Bosco Prep community came to show support, including the program’s previous Head Mentor Father Louis Konopelski, President Joseph Azzolino, Principal Mr. Wojcik, Vice-Principal of Academics Mrs. Giron, Vice-Principal of Student Affairs Mr. Moore, and Director Father Abraham Feliciano.  

With dinner having been served, current Head Mentor Mr. Blanset gave a brief summary of the past year of robotics, discussing the ups and downs, successes and shortcomings, and important learning which took place. Freshmen team Lead Mentor Mrs. Shatouhy then recognized the achievements of students who participated in the FIRST Technical Challenge last fall.  This included three teams of Freshmen from Don Bosco Prep, as well as an all-girls team from Immaculate Heart Academy which worked closely together with Ironmen Robotics.

Mr. Blanset then shifted the night’s focus to Don Bosco Prep’s Junior Varsity and Varsity teams, which competed in the FIRST Robotics Challenge earlier this year.  He began by describing the strategies employed by each team as they designed and built robots to compete in this year’s game, Crescendo. The Junior Varsity team took a head-on approach, diving right into fabrication and programming. Progress was quick at first, and slowed as the team began to tackle the more complicated functions of its robot.  The Varsity team took a slower approach, opting to prototype for several weeks in order to test a range of ideas.  With a rough design in mind, the Varsity team then spent the next month utilizing Computer Aided Design to create an extensive virtual model of their robot.  Fabrication and electrical work quickly followed.  Finally, the programming for both robots was completed.  

Mr. Blanset then acknowledged that although the competitions themselves had been quite challenging this year, the season had still been a successful one.  The Varsity team’s robot suffered several unfortunate setbacks in its first competition, but continued to improve as the season went on.  Additionally, the Junior Varsity team began the season slowly, but was able to achieve great success in their second competition, finishing in First Place on the winning alliance.   

Next, Varsity letters and individual awards were presented. Gavin Larrando was recognized as Junior Varsity’s Most Valuable Team Member, with John DeLuca receiving that distinction for the Varsity team.  Several Sustained Achievement awards were also given.  Varsity Co-captain Patrick Burke received this honor for his integral role in designing the robot, Stephen Viray for his programming, Salvatore Noble for his leadership of fabrication, and Joseph Mpasiakos, Drake Fung, Joseph Valenza, and Nikolas Avilas for their general excellence and important contributions to the team.  

Mr. Blanset then recognized and thanked the team’s adult mentors, who teach and lead the students of Ironmen Robotics.  Without their help and support, the team would not have been able to achieve near the same level of success that it did.  Finally, Senior Drake Fung stood up and delivered a heartfelt speech, thanking Father Lou, Mr. Blanset, and all the other mentors for their guidance and support throughout the past years, and recalling some of his fondest memories of being on the Robotics team.  

The night concluded with a delicious ice cream dessert, and left all who attended proud of Ironmen Robotics’ many accomplishments from the past year.