Henry County Schools’ mission to empower all students with exceptional opportunities that lead to success in a global society includes embedding STEM learning at every level. That mission, driven by the district’s goal to become a regional leader in STEM, is already yielding results, especially with one notable example at Ola High School.

OHS VEX Robotics coach Dr. Christie Schmitt, an engineering teacher and advisor to the Technology Student Association, has led Ola’s elementary and high school robotics teams to success from local to international competitions. The high school’s 5203G Gremlin robotics team consistently ranks among top competitors and has earned worldwide recognition.

Team 5203G earned top honors as Georgia VEX V5 Robotics Competition High School tournament champions in February, claiming the coveted Excellence Award for the second straight year. The victory also earned the team its fourth consecutive appearance at the VEX World Championship in Texas in May, the largest robotics competition in the world.

The crowning achievement for this team of six graduating seniors was surpassing more than 800 teams from around the world to secure VEX’s highest honor, the World Championship Excellence Award, which recognizes long-standing excellence and inspirational contributions to the VEX community.

“It’s hard to express what it meant to represent OHS and our district for the last time,” team member Carson Schmitt said. “This has been more than a team—we’ve been family. Every late night, every competition, every breakthrough—we did it together. Knowing this chapter is closing is bittersweet, but I’ll always carry the pride, the memories, and the unshakable bond we built along the way.”

A founding member of the elementary school team, Carson Schmitt has qualified for VEX competitions every year since he was a third grader. “Team 5203G has poured years of effort, late nights, and dedication into every design, code, and match,” Dr. Schmitt said. “Their extraordinary journey has been marked by innovation, resilience, and teamwork. As they represented Ola High School one final time on the world stage, they carried not only the pride of past victories but the legacy of a team that never stopped pushing the limits of what’s possible.”

Team 5203G has ignited interest in STEM-related activities across HCS and helped generate momentum for the district’s first elementary and middle school VEX robotics competition in February. Targeted board investments further expose students at all levels to STEM educational opportunities, promising a pipeline of STEM excellence that will support the district’s state-of-the-art STEM high school, scheduled to open in fall 2027. 

By Nicola Kelly