This year’s ACAMIS China International School National Championship held in Guangzhou was a triumph for Concordia, as the students emerged victorious at the competitions. All five of Concordia’s VEX V5 teams advanced to the elimination rounds, culminating in incredible wins: Tournament Champion, Third Place, and a Judges Award! The championship-winning team has now earned a coveted spot at the VEX World Championship in Dallas, Texas.  

(Tournament Champion winners: Timothy L., Marcus C., Jeffrey Y., Caleb H., Maddy T.)

(Third Place winners: Kate A., Davis M., Sophie Y., Steve N.)

(Judges Award winner: Simon J.)

From the very start, Concordia teams’ dedication was undeniable—students poured in countless hours preparing, often staying until the venue closed each night. One of the most unforgettable moments was an intense quarterfinals match between two Concordia teams, a showdown that was both exhilarating and bittersweet.   

Through every challenge, Concordia teams showed incredible unity and resilience. Team The Egoists earned an impressive 3rd place, while Team Tri-Rico was recognized with the Judges Award for their outstanding collaboration and innovation. The ultimate highlight? Team Top Gear and their alliance clinching the championship in a gripping best-of-three finale!   

It’s worth mentioning here that throughout the season, Team Top Gear earned two Excellence Awards, secured two first-place tournament wins, captured both the Build Award and Think Award, and consistently ranked among the top skills performers. For those unfamiliar, the Excellence Award is the highest honor in VEX competitions, recognizing outstanding performance in design, engineering, and teamwork.  

“It’s comforting to know that all those late nights and weekends we spent in the MakerSpace - building, troubleshooting and reiterating - weren’t for nothing. Now, we can look back and take pride in all the incredible things we’ve achieved together.” - Caleb H.  

“My high school experience wouldn’t be complete without VEX. From starting out as a clueless freshman who had never even seen a robot to a national champion, I’m grateful for all the experiences I’ve gained from it.” - Maddy T.  

“After two seasons of coming so close but falling short, finally winning the national championship in my last VEX competition is a dream come true.” - Jeffrey Y. 

“Failure maketh success.” - Simon J. 

While we are delighted to celebrate these outstanding results, we remain humbled by the dedication, curiosity, and sportsmanship Concordia students displayed throughout the season. Many of the team members are high school seniors who have nurtured their STEM talents and team camaraderie throughout their time at Concordia.

From days and nights spent perfecting code to building and testing robots under tight deadlines, they have demonstrated the values of perseverance, humility, and innovation—embodying the heart of the Concordia spirit. Junior students will be leading the way to another bright year!