FIRST in Texas’ Sincerest Apology to the RoboChargers and North Texas Community

To the RoboChargers and the North Texas Community, 

On behalf of the FIRST in Texas Leadership team we want to begin by acknowledging that the community note published in October 2024 by FIRST in Texas was inappropriate and inaccurate. This response and apology are long overdue.  

We extend our sincerest apologies regarding the communications and decisions related to the cancellation of the 10/26 FTC Qualifier and the events that followed. To the RoboChargers, the North Texas Community, and the many teams who were affected by our decision, we are truly sorry.  

To the RoboChargers, FIRST in Texas recognizes and appreciates the tremendous dedication you have shown and the impact you’ve made in the community. We are beyond sorry for the implication that RoboChargers and the North Texas community were trying to create an unfair competitive advantage. After the countless hours you’ve contributed to making STEM more accessible to underserved students, it was unfair for FIRST in Texas to imply that your intention was anything other than to create equitable opportunities for FIRST Tech Challenge teams. You are correct, “underserved and underrepresented students do not deserve fewer opportunities than others.”  

We also recognize that implying your event planning was financially motivated was inaccurate and unfair, especially considering your long-standing histories of responsible event hosting and the transparent communication you’ve maintained with local leadership. We also agree that it was out of place for us to insinuate insight into how your teams are prioritized between programs. All students are a priority whether they’re in FIRST Tech Challenge or FIRST Robotics Competition, we should not presume to know or dictate an organization’s needs and priorities. 

We understand that for your students—many of whom face real barriers to access—participating in FIRST Tech Challenge through a more flexible event model like a Qualifier is not only a preference, but a necessity. Your effort to adapt the program to meet their needs was reasonable and deeply aligned with the true values and mission of FIRST in Texas. 

While we intended to uphold the consistency of the Texas Model, we failed to recognize and properly support a local model that sought to create true equity by addressing unequal access, not simply enforcing equal structures. We now realize that our actions may have unintentionally undermined the very goals we work so hard to promote. 

Going forward, we commit to the following: 

• Revisiting our internal review processes to ensure that regional input is given genuine weight, especially when supported by data and community collaboration through our feedback channels and our Advisory Council.  

• Rebuilding trust with the North Texas community through open dialogue and consistent, respectful communication.  

• Formally correcting the record by publicly acknowledging that the event planning was conducted in good faith and retracting the prior implication of collusion or financial misconduct.  

We are using this as a learning opportunity to prevent this from happening again. This moment reminds us that creating equitable access means listening better, reflecting deeper, and responding with humility. Your voices have been heard. And your students deserve every opportunity to participate fully and proudly in the FIRST in Texas community. 

FIRST in Texas