Gov. Chris Sununu meets with members of Dover Shockwave Robotics prior to the seventh annual FIRST New Hampshire Governor’s Cup at Plymouth State University on Oct. 19. Courtesy photo/FIRST Robotics

PLYMOUTH – Twenty-nine robotics teams, consisting of more than 300 students and 65 volunteers from across New Hampshire, gathered at Plymouth State University on Oct. 19 for the seventh annual Governor’s Cup, an off-season robotics competition for the state’s high school FIRST Robotics Competition teams.

The event began in 2018 in cooperation with Gov. 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. PSU has hosted six of the seven Governor’s Cup events; a modified event was held virtually in 2020 due to COVID-19 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 Amy Bewley, spokeswoman for FIRST New Hampshire. “Participating in FIRST helps prepare young people for higher education by instilling a sense of curiosity, passion, creativity and gracious professionalism. FIRST New Hampshire 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 Dr. Donald Birx. “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 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 included:

-Team 5813: Morpheus of Concord

-Team 3467: Windham Windup of Windham High School

-Team 7674: RaiderBots of Rochester High School

The 2024 finalist alliance included:

-Team 131: C.H.A.O.S. of Manchester Central High School

-Team 166: Chop Shop of Merrimack High School

-Team 1073: The Force Team of 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, 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 or Community College System of New Hampshire institution.

This year’s Governor’s Award-winning teams included:

-Team 8046: Lakerbots of Inter-Lakes High School

-Team 1721: Tidal Force of Concord High School

-Team 166: Chop Shop of 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. This year’s recipients are:

-Maya More of Team 8410: Overdrive in Durham

-Makena Columb of Team 151: Nashua Tough Techs in Nashua

-Gavin Costa of Team 501: The Powerknights at Manchester High School West and Goffstown High School

-Ryan Burbo of Team 3467: Windham Windup at Windham High School

-Leland Borque of Team 8708: 0v3R1y K0Mp13X in Dunbarton

-Nathan Delhanty of Team 151: Nashua Tough Techs in Nashua

Plymouth State University Housing Scholarship

All competition participants were offered $1,000 on-campus housing scholarships for each year of enrollment at PSU.

Judge Awards

Gracious Professionalism Award – Team 131: C.H.A.O.S. of Manchester Central High School

Celebrates outstanding demonstration of FIRST Core Values such as continuous Gracious Professionalism working together both on and off the playing field.

Live Free or Die Safety Award – Team 3323: Potential Energy, Campbell High School

Celebrates the team that progresses beyond safety fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards.

Mill Yard Creativity Award – Team 6324: Blue Devils of Salem High School

Celebrates creativity in design, use of component or strategy of play.

Imagery Like the Kanc Award – Team 3467: Windham Windup of Windham High School

Celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration of machine and team appearance.

First in the Nation Spirit Award – Team 4925: The Resistance of Kingswood Regional High School

Celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork furthering the objectives of FIRST Robotics.

Winnipesaukee Judges Award – Team 5813: Morpheus of Concord

During the course of the competition, the judging panel may decide a team’s unique efforts, performance or dynamics merit recognition.

Lilac Mentor Award – Brighid Wood of Team 1729: Team Inconceivable! in New Ipswich

Honors an FRC mentor, nominated by students, who embodies the essence of mentorship, offering guidance, support and inspiration to help others grow.