A Vision Takes Flight (1995)
In 1995, in the warm and humid atmosphere of Florida, a visionary named Grady Wood—fondly referred to as the godfather of Team Resistance—began to forge a path at Stanton College Preparatory School. With the support of a dedicated teacher (name to be added later) and the support of his father, Dr. Wayne Wood, the founder of Vistakon, Grady established the Robotics Club. This initiative marked the inception of the first robotics team in Duval County School District and throughout Northeast Florida.
The Rookie Adventure Begins (1996)
The following year, in 1996, the Stanton Robotics Club embarked on their inaugural journey into the FIRST Robotics Competition at the Kennedy Space Center.
With a small group of students, a committed teacher, and several enthusiastic mentors, they introduced their debut robot, the “TrashBot.” Constructed from plywood, PVC pipes, bolts, and nuts, the “TrashBot” was a humble yet significant creation that set the stage for their future endeavors.
Learning from Setbacks
Throughout this early phase, the team encountered challenges and setbacks that imparted valuable lessons about resilience and the importance of perseverance. These experiences became integral to the team’s identity, fostering an environment rich in inspiration and collaboration.
Finding Mentors (1997)
In 1997, the team’s journey took a transformative turn with the arrival of two exceptional mentors, Todd Lovelace and Dave Vogel. Recognizing the immense potential within the students, Todd and Dave dedicated their time and expertise to mentoring the team.
They cultivated a hands-on learning environment that engaged students with tools, machinery, and engineering processes, all while emphasizing a strong safety culture. Their guidance not only developed students’ technical skills but also enhanced their confidence, social abilities, and global awareness—elements often overlooked in traditional education.
During this time, Sally Corporation also stepped up, reinforcing their support for the Stanton Robotics Club.
A Home of Their Own (1997)
The momentum continued in 1997 when the team found a permanent home in Todd’s impressive workshop—fondly referred to as the Chaos Central Workshop—an ideal space for creativity and innovation. As the competition’s game was revealed, the team embarked on constructing their first steel-frame robot. This introduction of steel allowed them to acquire new skills in welding, igniting excitement and enthusiasm throughout the workshop.
The team embraced their identity as the Stanton Robotics Club Wizards, wearing white shirts adorned with a hand-drawn logo featuring a yellow hat electro wizard. After a season of hard work and collaboration, they successfully completed their 1997 robot, Disposer I, named in honor of Vistakon to pay homage to the company’s disposable contact lenses. The Disposer I made its debut in the competition, contributing to the team’s growing confidence and insight.
The Evolution of the Disposer Robots (1998-1999)
With each passing year, the team continued to evolve. Under the guidance of Todd and Dave, they refined their strategies and created subsequent robots, including Disposer II, Disposer III, and Disposer IV.
A Breakthrough Year (2000)
In 2000, a pivotal year for the team, the Disposer IV robot showcased an innovative defensive strategy. This groundbreaking approach turned the competition dynamics upside down, standing out amidst a landscape of offensive tactics. The significance of this strategy led to the introduction of new rules in subsequent competitions. This marked a defining moment for the team as they embraced their new identity as Team Resistance, representing their commitment to GOING AGAINST THE CURRENT.
New Beginnings (2001)
As the story continued into 2001, with the competition looming, the team welcomed a new addition to their capabilities: aluminum. Along with the acquisition of a new welding machine, the Chaos Central Workshop allowed the team to level up its quality, skills, and innovative concepts. This upgrade enabled them to resist the norms typically seen in larger, corporate environments. The workshop became a hub of creativity and ingenuity, proving that effective results could be achieved on a budget and in a sustainable manner, all while fostering a collaborative and spirited atmosphere.
As Todd, now a dedicated engineer with JEA (Jacksonville’s utility), drew attention to the team’s efforts, JEA became the primary sponsor, joining the ongoing support from Vistakon and Sally Corporation. In recognition of this partnership, the team introduced the OHMER series of robots, symbolizing JEA’s electrical theme and the spirit of resistance they embodied in competition.