NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 27, 2026) — A New Rochelle High School robotics team is competing at the VEX V5 World Competition in St. Louis, Missouri, marking the first time in the school’s history a team has qualified for the global event.
Team #19383D or “Legion”, made up of six juniors, is competing in the ARTS category against teams from around the world. The team members are Daniel Goncalves, who serves as captain, along with Noor Abdalla, Vincent Chen, Cesar Hernandez, Paul Gallagher and Penelope Conway. The team is coached by Maria Walsh.
“I’m so proud of this team and the effort and dedication that they made to get to this stage of competition,” Walsh said.
The competition ran April 21–24, with matches livestreamed on vexworlds.tv.
Team members expressed enthusiasm heading into the event.
“I’m excited to see the many different innovative designs that teams around the world will bring and share,” said Vincent Chen. “I hope that by participating in worlds and having an opportunity to play with experienced teams, it will not only inspire me, but the robotics program here at the high school to also continue planning and building in preparation for next year — striving for higher aspirations.”
Paul Gallagher said he hopes to represent the school and city with distinction.
“As a student representative of New Rochelle High School, I hope to represent my state, my city, and my high school with class, dignity, pride, and effort,” Gallagher said. “I have a desire to leave a strong mark in this competition through our performance, hopefully finishing above expectations.”
The VEX V5 Robotics Competition is the largest and fastest-growing middle school and high school robotics competition worldwide, organized by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation. The 2025–26 season game is called “Push Back.” According to program data, 95% of participants report increased interest in STEM subjects. Local and regional tournaments qualify teams for the annual VEX Robotics World Championship.
The team’s path to St. Louis began in part at home. On Jan. 24, New Rochelle High School co-hosted with Rye Country Day School the first-ever VEX V5 high school and middle school robotics competition held at the school. The free event drew approximately 50 competitors.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
Have information about this story? Email robertcox@talkofthesound.com (preferred) or contact via WhatsApp: +353 089 972 0669.
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