Nearly 20 students to represent Southwest Detroit on the Global Stage
For the second year in a row, a robotics team from Southwest Detroit has advanced to the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston, TX. Following Team 4680, the AzTech Eagles from Cesar Chavez Academy High School’s record-breaking 2025 season, another local team has qualified – Team 5577, the Kinematic Wolves, from Detroit Cristo Rey High School – after winning the Impact Award, the highest honors a team can receive at a FIRST Robotics event.
This is the first time the Cristo Rey team has qualified for the World Championship in Houston in the team’s 10+ year history.
Watching Team 5577, the Kinematic Wolves, earn their place at the 2026 FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston is nothing short of inspiring!” said Marisol Bien Teachworth Walton, Director of Youth Development at DHDC. “These young people—bright, driven, and deeply collaborative—are showing the world what’s possible when talent meets opportunity. As a DHDC robotics bridge team rooted in community and culture, they represent the power of Hispanic youth as builders, innovators, creators, and future engineers. I am incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished and even more excited for what liesahead.
Team 5577 is also a founding member of the Robotics Engineering Center of Detroit, a community robotics space that has supported more than 175+ students and 20+ elementary, middle, and high school teams in recent years.The RECD at DHDC provides hands-on STEM education and mentorship opportunities for youth, many of whom come from underserved communities. By giving them access to advanced technology, industry leaders, and a space to grow their skills, we help open doors to college, internships, and brighter futures.
Team 5577 recently rejoined the RECD network of teams and we are proud to announce this is the third RECD team to advance to the World Championship in the last five seasons.
It costs tens of thousands of dollars for a team to attend the World Championship which includes things such as registration, lodging, transportation of team members and the robot, and food over the course of the event. As the Cristo Rey team gets ready to head to Houston, we are asking for your support.
Help our kids get to the Championship!
We are seeking sponsorships, donations, and community support to help cover the costs of attending the World Championship in Houston. All contributions go directly to supporting the students, teams, and mentors from Team 5577 and ensuring our kids can participate.
To sponsor or donate, please click on the link and use “Robotics” as the gift note – https://bit.ly/4vNSY4I
Help us support these brilliant STEM leaders on their robotics journey as they bring Detroit excellence to the world stage.
About DHDC:
The Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization committed to creating life-changing opportunities for youth and families in Detroit through education, workforce development, and community support.
Learn more about us on social media, click here.
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