A Journey at DCMP

It was the first week of April. While our classmates were peering out windows, pondering the week’s volatile weather, we were watching something far more intimidating with bated breath: qualification matches at the Ontario Provincial Championship. At the Science Division we met a real challenge with a host of the strongest teams in Ontario, some ranking at the top of the world leaderboard. Thankfully we made it out alive, but not necessarily unscathed.

Many family and alumni attended this climactic event, and we were filled with nostalgia at our reunion - in some ways, it was just like previous years. At the same time, our team was more experienced than ever before, ready to take on Reefscape. We knew we’d be seeing a hundred talented teams at the competition, and the stands sure were crowded, full of old friendly rivals and newer faces too.

The mood was tense as members donned safety goggles while preparing to enter the pits. In the bleachers, students set up scouting app equipment and discussed strategy. We even practiced shouting our team chant, knowing our voices would inevitably run out by the end of Saturday. Passing around home-baked cookies and candies, there was something unique in the way our team banded together.

Qualification matches drew to a close by Friday night, and we prepared to pick our alliances, having ended at Rank 7. One of our scouters, Vinayak Sharma, who incredibly scouted every single one of the hundred matches, says that despite his taxing undertaking he enjoyed it. All of our scouts would agree with this sentiment. Sometimes they would add in silly but encouraging comments as they scouted qualification matches, adding some much-needed levity when we were anxious and on the edge of our seats.

Then, we were unexpectedly chosen by team Inverse Paradox #1325 to be part of their Alliance 5. We deliberated our final pick, and with the combined scouting data, chose to compete alongside Oakbotics #3739. We got the opportunity to cooperate with teams we’d originally assumed we would compete against, and it was with enthusiasm that we hunkered down as a new alliance to ready for the playoffs.

After playing our way through the thrilling semifinals, it was just us and Alliance 3 left. As we faced off for the title of Science Division winners with Alliance 3 - teams DAVE #3683, W.A.F.F.L.E.S. #4476 and The Biggest Birds #1285 - it was with eagerness that we lined up to shake their hands, feeling a sense of camaraderie though we were on opposing sides. After all, FIRST’s values emphasize Coopertition: promoting cooperation and respect with competing teams.

Unfortunately, we lost to Alliance 3 despite a close set of finals. We ended our run in this competition as finalists in the Science Division, coming up to the clapping judges to collect our medals. There was a congratulatory air. On a field of incredibly able Canadian teams, we were proud to have advanced this far. This is one of our most accomplished, memorable seasons, and there’s more to come. As the last games began, we were also taking notes at the finesse displayed by the teams, knowing that it would serve us well in the future - specifically, the weeks ahead.

Ultimately, the Technology Division alliance won. There was a buoyant spirit in the stands as the competition drew to a close. The colourful scene, with so many Ontarian teams, was a testament to our youth’s capacity for innovation. Together, we felt so much pride in our shared identity as Canadian high schoolers each with an interest in STEM. I saw many of my fellow 12th graders from around Ontario engulf friends with teary-eyed hugs, knowing this was their last DCMP. It was a bittersweet moment, but tempered by knowing the journey is not necessarily over for our team. Because, after a record-breaking performance where we were left sitting at 7th in the entire Ontario district and finished as 78th on the world scale according to Statbotics…we have qualified for the FIRST Championships in Houston! We’re stoked to represent Canada soon on the world field.

We are incredibly grateful to FIRST and the volunteers who made our experience unforgettable. It was also the invaluable guidance of our mentors that pushed our team to where we are at now. It was their steadfast commitment as they talked us through competitions and exhausting late nights in the lab and on the field that brought us all our joy this competition.

And at the end, our chorus to many of our fellow Ontarian teams: “See you at Houston!"

Isabella Io

Grade 12 Student