In a world that sometimes feels like it’s on fire, a group of fourth graders from Indianapolis managed to shine bright. Their robotics team, the Pleasant Run PantherBots, won a competition and got closer to the Vex IQ State Championship. But instead of celebrating, they faced an ugly reality when some individuals yelled “Go back to Mexico!” as they left the event. Yes, you heard that right—adults yelling racial slurs at kids.
According to reports, the competition took place at a high school in Plainfield, Indiana, with 35 teams participating. Among the PantherBots, there are two Latino kids and one African-American child. As the kids—who attend a school serving a lower-income community—exited, they were met with the mean-spirited remarks from spectators, including students from other teams.
Dianna Lopez, the mother of one of the PantherBots, shared her shock with reporters. She heard some parents making derogatory comments about her child’s team winning simply because of their backgrounds. “They were saying things like they were ruining our country,” Lopez explained, which just adds to the bizarre nature of this whole situation.
Fortunately, local officials didn’t let such behavior slide. The director of communications for Plainfield Community School Corp, Mark Johnson, strongly denounced the actions of those involved, asserting that such behavior isn’t tolerated in their schools. Meanwhile, Lisa James, the PantherBots’ coach and a second-grade teacher at Pleasant Run Elementary, pointed out that the robotics realm is predominantly white, which may have led to the inappropriate comments aimed at her diverse team.
But fear not! The PantherBots aren’t letting this negativity hold them back. Just three weeks later, they clinched an award for best robot design and engineering at the state championships, qualifying them for the Vex IQ World Championship in Louisville. Their success is a testament to their grit, and they’re proving that they are formidable competitors, regardless of the naysayers.
A GoFundMe set up for the team has surpassed its funding goal, with extra funds going towards next year’s robotics program. These remarkable kids recently started learning about robotics thanks to a grant, and they’re already making waves in the tech world. One of the team members summed it up nicely: “We know they were just jealous. We’ll take that and let it make us stronger.”
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In summary, the Pleasant Run PantherBots faced harsh racial comments following their victory at a robotics competition but quickly turned the situation around. With strong support from their community, they’ve continued to excel and will be showcasing their talents on an even bigger stage soon.