Five years ago, I came to AST with my sister to participate in our first-ever VEX competition. We were inexperienced rookies back then. Five years later, we returned to that same gym—but this time, my sister served as the Head Referee and I was the Match Emcee.
The growth has been incredible. Five years ago, there were only 20 teams. This year, we hosted 25 Middle School and 33 Elementary School teams over two days, including teams that traveled across the sea from Hong Kong. Seeing TAI-VEX and the local community grow so quickly is truly inspiring.
To prepare for the event, I spent time studying the game manual and the specific names of scoring objects. I wanted my commentary to be accurate and to properly represent the teams' complex strategies.
Throughout the weekend, I was able to observe the teams closely. Nowadays, top VEX IQ robots feature complex pneumatic systems, complete sensor integration, and high-level optimizations. But beyond the hardware, I saw the same passion and excitement that we had half a decade ago. These teams spent months building, strategizing, and practicing, just like we did.
To the students competing: Whether you went home with a trophy or not, you have already won because you chose to build and not consume. The skills you learn in VEX aren't just about mechanisms; they are about the engineering process, the ability to work under pressure, and communicating effectively with your teammates. Through successes and failures, you are getting closer to true "Excellence," which is something that can't be found in a plastic trophy alone.
Overall, it was an unforgettable experience. Thank you to AST for the opportunity to be an Emcee—it was truly an honor. Thanks also to the referees, scorekeepers, judges, scouts, field-resetters, and the tech team for making the event run so smoothly. I would have been much more nervous if it weren't for all the friends around.
There are certainly still improvements I can make as an announcer, and I look forward to working on those. Hopefully, in the future, I can find even more opportunities to talk about robotics.
