UISD’s Alexander High School Sends Two Robotics Teams to World Championship in Houston

Two Alexander High School robotics teams are taking their talent to the world stage! The United Independent School District is proud to announce that the Hotdawgs and the Chillydawgs have earned their spots at the prestigious FIRST World Championship, taking place in Houston this week, April 29 through May 2.

The event is part of the globally recognized FIRST Championship, the world’s largest K-12 robotics competition, drawing more than 19,000 students from 66 countries, according to their website. 

Out of approximately 8,000 teams worldwide, only 336 qualified for the championship placing Alexander High School’s teams among the top 4.2% globally. Notably, two of the four South Texas teams advancing to the world stage are from UISD, highlighting the district’s growing leadership in STEM education.

This marks the second consecutive year Alexander High School advances to the World Championship, with the Hotdawgs returning and the Chillydawgs making their first appearance.

The teams, led by engineering and robotics teacher and sponsor Juan Medina, earned their place after sweeping the South Texas Regional Championship competing against top programs across Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley.

“This is a pretty big deal,” said Juan Medina. “To represent that top 4.2% and to have two teams from our program is incredible. We’re representing Laredo, South Texas, and the entire state of Texas on a global stage.”

Medina, who has led the program since 2018, emphasized that the achievement reflects years of growth and a commitment to sustainability. Under his leadership, Alexander Robotics has expanded significantly and now plays a key role in developing robotics programs across UISD, including new initiatives in elementary and middle schools.

“Our students embody our motto: Always Building, Always Better,” Medina said. “They’ve put in seven months of disciplined work to get here, and now they’re living the dream of competing at the highest level.”

The students say the opportunity extends far beyond competition, it’s about innovation, collaboration, and global connection.

“This is our second year going to World, and we’re aiming to make the playoffs this time,” said Farrell Meng, a senior and valedictorian representing the Hotdawgs. “I love the competition, but also getting to meet teams from around the world. Last year we worked with teams from Romania, Mexico, and Morocco. That was really exciting!”

For sophomore Gerardo Alva of the Chillydawgs, the excitement lies in innovation and discovery. “I’m really looking forward to seeing how other teams solve the same challenge in completely different ways,” he said. “FIRST inspires students everywhere to create incredible solutions; it’s amazing to be part of that.”

Alexander High School Principal Rosana Arizola praised both the students and the program’s leadership.

“We are extremely proud,” Arizola said. “This is the second year in a row our robotics teams have made it to World, which is a huge accomplishment. Our students are bright, talented, and dedicated, and Mr. Medina’s leadership has helped guide them to this level of success.”

She added that robotics programs play a vital role in student development. “These experiences challenge students and allow them to take ownership of their learning. Their dedication truly shows in their achievements.”

The FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship brings together teams from across the globe. Students will compete, collaborate, and share ideas while tackling this season’s engineering challenge, “Decode.”

Beyond competition, the event emphasizes “Gracious Professionalism,” a core FIRST value that encourages teamwork, respect, and collaboration. UISD continues to expand robotics education across all grade levels, recently launching programs in several elementary and middle schools, with plans to grow to 17 campuses. This district-wide effort is building a strong pipeline of future engineers, innovators, and leaders.

Reflecting on the evolution of the field, Juan Medina noted how dramatically robotics has advanced since his own time as a student. 

“When I was in high school, the expectation was simple—if the robot moved, that was enough,” he said. “Now, students are designing robots in virtual environments, creating custom parts with 3D printers, and programming advanced autonomous systems. The level of engineering, precision, and innovation today is on a completely different level.”