Rory Barker's Journey to World Championship

From Local Competition to Global Stage: Help Our Team Soar!

My name is Rory Barker, and I'm on a mission that could use your support. Imagine you're in middle school, full of energy and ideas, right? That’s me—and my team at Titanium Trojans robotics club from Michigan. We’ve been working hard to get here: through countless hours of design, coding, and teamwork, we’ve qualified for the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship in Houston!

It’s a dream come true, really. Picture this: out of over 700 teams across Michigan, we're one of just 18 chosen to compete at an international level. This isn’t just about robots; it’s about the dreams and futures that myself and my teammates are building with our hands—and hearts!

Now here comes the tough part: We need your help. The journey from Michigan to Houston is not cheap, especially for a team of students who hustle hard but have little to spare. Our fundraising goal? A modest yet crucial $5000 that will cover travel and accommodation costs so our teams of kids, coaches, and mentors can soar high on an international stage without worrying about how we will get there.

Every dollar counts in making this possible, from the caravans taking us to Michigan's competitions to our first steps to Worlds. Imagine cheering us on as we face off against teams from around the globe, many of our competitors being high school students. It’s going to be epic, and we need you by our side every step of the way.

Imagine how it feels when a 14-year-old kid who has poured his heart into building robots gets that kind of support, not just financially but also emotionally—that's what makes all the difference in this incredible journey called life!

So here’s where you come in: Whether it’s a couple of dollars or an inspiring story to share about how you once chased big dreams as well, every bit helps. Let’s show the Titanium Trojans that we are not alone in our ambitions and the world can be just as generous with its support!