Las Guerrillas - FRC 469

"We began with a dream, when we were told that there was no way for us to start our own team so late in the season."

In November of 1999, just 6 weeks before the 2000 FIRST season would officially begin, 18 students banded together to form Team 469. After calling corporation after corporation to raise the needed funds, Nachi Robotics was the first company to step to the plate. Magna followed soon after, offering to let us use their machine shop as well as give us financial support. This fledgling team won the Rookie All Star Award at the Great Lakes Regional and was the 16th seed at Nationals.

As the team grew, new mentors came on board to guide us. Shortly after the 2001 season began, Art Ostrowski, a father of one of the new members, signed on. He soon became the lead mechanical mentor and continues to work with us today.

Knowing firsthand the hardships other teams face, Team 469 made it a mission to help struggling teams at the regionals. Dan Kimura, our lead programmer, offered his services to other teams. Our electrical engineer, Robin Schmidt, helped teams with electrical issues. We outfitted a Canadian Team with new wheels. We lent out tools The team was rewarded with the Johnson and Johnson Sportsmanship Award in 2001 and 2002.

In 2002, Las Guerrillas won both the Cleveland and Great Lakes Regionals, the first time we ever won a regional event. It was in 2003, teaming up with 111 and 65, both current Hall of Fame Members, that Team 469 won the World Championship. Hoping for another coveted title in 2004, our team made it to the finals, but lost by one point in the third match.

Our team has continued to work hard. What makes us most proud, however, is that three of our current mentors Don Wright, Dan Kimura, and Art Ostrowski, have won the prestigious Woodie Flowers Award for the best mentor.

This year, with 48 students and our many dedicated mentors, FIRST team 469 is competing at the Detroit District, Troy District, Michigan State Championships, and at the World Championships in St. Louis. We hope to continue our team's legacy of excellence through this robotics season and in the years to come.