Student Spotlight: Yania V, FTC Team 22837

Yania V, Vice President of Team 22837, Steely Eyed Missile Lions, is making her mark across every part of her team. From design and build to business strategy and coaching the drive team, she brings a well-rounded leadership style that reflects both technical skill and strong teamwork.

In just a year and a half, Yania has immersed herself in both FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition, quickly discovering a passion for engineering and leadership. One of her favorite memories came during a community outreach event where her team brought their robot to engage with the public. What started as a typical demonstration quickly turned unforgettable when a group of territorial geese decided to chase the team. It was unexpected, chaotic, and something she will never forget. Moments like that remind her how unique and fun outreach can be and how these experiences bring teams closer together.

Through her time in FIRST, Yania has built a strong foundation in electrical systems, robot construction, and Java programming. Just as importantly, she has developed skills that go far beyond the robot, including communication, leadership, problem-solving, and time management. One lesson that stood out this season came from a moment of miscommunication during matches. It showed her how critical clear communication, trust, and patience are when every decision impacts the outcome.

Yania believes that many people outside of FIRST do not fully realize the depth of opportunities the program provides. Beyond robotics, it opens doors to leadership growth, mentorship, scholarships, and real-world connections that can shape a student’s future.

That impact is already clear in her own journey. Being part of FIRST helped her discover her passion for mechatronics and gave her the confidence to pursue it. She now plans to attend a university such as MIT or WPI to study Mechatronic Engineering, with the goal of one day working at NASA designing advanced space rockets.

At the core of everything she has learned is a strong belief in giving back. Yania understands how powerful these opportunities are and hopes to help create those same experiences for others in the future.

Her advice to students thinking about joining is simple: take the chance. You do not need experience to start, just curiosity and a willingness to learn. FIRST is more than robots. It is a place where you grow, discover who you are, and find opportunities you never knew existed.