Team Spotlight: FTC Team 12313 HotDawgs

FIRST Tech Challenge team 12313 Hotdawgs is a team defined by spirit, creativity, and a sense of family that fuels everything they do. Ask any member what makes their team unique, and they will tell you it is the dynamic energy they share, the way ideas bounce effortlessly from one person to another, and the unshakable teamwork that powers every challenge they take on. Their signature flame logo captures that perfectly, symbolizing the dedication, collaboration, and spark that drives the Hotdawgs forward! From ritual karaoke nights to a beloved collection of generational hotdog figures in their workshop, the team has built traditions that strengthen their bond and deepen their passion for FIRST. 

For Hotdawgs, robotics is only part of the story. At its core, the team is a tight-knit family where every member finds support, motivation, and a place to belong. Whether sharing a laugh, tackling a tough build session, or working through challenges together, the team’s strength comes from the people standing beside them. Walking into their workspace, you can immediately feel the energy as ideas flow, solutions form, and teammates push one another to give their very best. For the Hotdawgs, the true gift of robotics is the community they have built together. 

The team operates with a structure that includes roles such as Team Captain, Building, Programming, Outreach, Portfolio, and Interview leads. Students step into leadership not through titles, but through consistency, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. Many began by taking on small tasks, asking questions, and developing their skills through hands-on experience. On this team, leadership is defined by dedication: anyone who commits to doing their work well and supporting the group is seen as a leader. 

With a hands-off sponsor, Juan Medina, Hotdawgs members learn responsibility from day one. Every student takes ownership of their work and contributes to the collective understanding of how the team operates. As the oldest robotics team at their high school, they carry a legacy of excellence and serve as role models for their sister teams. Balancing robotics with school and other activities has taught them time management, accountability, and the importance of setting a strong example for future generations of Hotdawgs. 

Competing in the Jemison Division at the 2025 FIRST Championship was a milestone unlike any other. The team was struck by the scale of the event, describing it as a completely different world compared to typical competitions. With 256 teams and an enormous venue, everything felt heightened. Meeting teams from around the globe, many they had previously only known online, gave them a renewed appreciation for the global FIRST community. Their experience at Worlds became the highlight of their season, leaving them eager to return. 

Earning the Think Award Second Place in the Jemison Division was a proud and defining achievement for the team. Their portfolio has long been a standout component of their program, but this award represented the culmination of years of refinement, practice, and dedication. A major contributor was alumna Isabella Coronado, who devoted countless hours to writing, editing, and polishing the document with extraordinary care. The award reflects not only strong documentation and engineering analysis, but the team’s unwavering commitment to excellence. 

While the judges’ exact thoughts remain unknown, the Hotdawgs believe their use of mathematical modeling played a significant role in their recognition. After experiencing a catastrophic servo failure during league play, the team redesigned their extension using a detailed mathematical model to reduce shock load. The fix worked perfectly and became a highlight in their portfolio. They employed similar modeling for other subsystems, creating a well-rounded document that covered their engineering, outreach, and teamwork with depth and clarity. 

One of their most unforgettable moments at Worlds had nothing to do with robots at all. The team found themselves wrapped up in a humorous “sticker mission” initiated by another team, tasked with spreading old FIRST stickers around the convention center. After distributing roll after roll, even resorting to covering their mascot hotdog costume, they finally earned their prize: a single patch. It is a memory that reminds them that even on the world’s biggest stage, there is always room for fun, camaraderie, and the unexpected. 

For teams hoping to reach Championships, Hotdawgs emphasizes the importance of communication, coordination, and commitment. Robotics is a team effort from start to finish, and success begins with clear goals and defined roles. Assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and ensuring everyone contributes are essential steps in creating an efficient workflow. Above all, rookies should understand that reaching the Championship level requires dedication. Countless hours will go into building, documenting, testing, and refining, and a team’s strength will always come from the people who commit to building something great together!