PantherBots Robotics Champs Don't Let Racist Comments Faze Them

Last month, the PantherBots, five 4th graders from Pleasant Run Elementary, WON a robotics competition in Indianapolis, bringing them one step closer to the Vex IQ State Championship!

Unfortunately, as the triumphant team and their parents left the competition, they encountered students and parents from competing schools waiting for them in the parking lot. “Go back to Mexico!” they yelled.

USA Today reports,

“They were pointing at us and saying that ‘Oh my God, they are champions...all because they are Mexican. They are Mexican, and they are ruining our country,’ ” said Diocelina Herrera, mother of PantherBot Angel Herrera-Sanchez.

The PantherBots coach Lisa Hopper commented,

“For the most part, the robotics world is kind of a white world. They’re not used to seeing a team like our kids. And they see us and they think we’re not going to be competition. Then we’re in first place the whole day, and they can’t take it."

The PantherBots did not let the salty comments faze them, going on to win the Create Award for best robot design and engineering at the state championships!  Next, they will compete in the Vex IQ World Championship, facing off against students from all over the globe.

Team leader Elijah said,

“They yelled out rude comments, and I think that they can talk all they want because at the end we’re still going to Worlds. 

It’s not going to affect us at all. I’m not surprised because I’m used to this kind of behavior. When you have a really good team, people will treat you this way.

[You] take stuff like that and let it make you stronger."

BRAVO!