Whiz Kid: Ellie Nave, Robotics Champion

Ellie Nave, a recent graduate of Winters Mill High School, and her team were recently recognized with an award at an international robotics competition. Robotics is the process of designing, building, and utilizing a robot to perform specific tasks. The more complex the task or show, the higher the standing of the robot. Nave answered some of Patch's questions about what it was like to get international attention for her work.

Patch: What is your favorite aspect of robotics?

Ellie Nave: My favorite thing about robotics is the camaraderie of the teams at the competitions. When competing in robotics, it takes many minds to design one robot and everyone’s blood, sweat and tears become a part of the robot. You learn to respect others, listen and compromise. Not only that, but your team members become more than a team and become your family. This was demonstrated by my team at the World Championships in Robotics this year when we won the unite/teamwork award.

Patch: What level did your team reach? And how did that make you feel?

Nave: The level that my team has reached is international. This year at the World Championship for Robotics, where we competed against 600 teams from all over the world, including New Zealand, China, Japan, Mexico and so many more, my team, the Super Sonic Sparks, won an award called the Excellence Award. This is the highest award presented in the VEX Robotics Competition. The recipient of this award is a team that exemplifies overall excellence in building a well-rounded VEX robotics program. This team excels in many areas and is a shining example of dedication, devotion, hard work and teamwork. A strong contender in numerous award categories, this team deserves to be recognized for their accomplishments building a robot and in building a “team” committed to quality in everything they do. We were competing against every other team in the world for this award and got the prestigious honor of being the recipients. The way this made me feel was bittersweet. I have been a part of the program for four years, since the formation of the team, and I was more proud than anyone to see my team accomplish such a feat. However, I realized that next year I would not be returning to my team. This bittersweet feeling drove me to want to mentor the remaining team members for the following year and start a college VEX Robotics team to continue competing.

Patch: What is the normal reaction you get from people when you tell them you're involved in robotics?

Nave: When I tell people that I do robotics, I usually get a pretty funny look. The normal reaction is: “But you’re a girl! And blonde!” or “But we’re in Carroll County.” Sometimes, it takes several minutes of explaining to convince them.

Patch: How has robotics changed your life?

Nave: Robotics has improved my life by not only getting me ahead of my competitors in the college and working world by allowing me to experience designing, building, programming and engineering skills, but has taught me many life lessons as well. Through my experience with robotics I’ve learned that to be successful you must learn organization, record-keeping skills, communication skills, and be passionate about what you’re doing.

Patch: What are your future plans in terms of college and robotics?

Nave: In the fall I will be attending Virginia Tech, where I plan to combine what I’ve learned through robotics and do a dual major in marketing and biomedical engineering. I also plan to start a robotics team in college where I can continue to compete and apply my robotics skills.

Patch: What else makes you awesome?

Nave: Robotics, although a huge part of my life, is only one of the many activities I participate in. This past year I attended Winters Mill High School, where I was involved in tennis, the Student Government Association as parliamentarian, yearbook as the editor-in-chief, select chorus, drama club and performances, and a member in both National Honors Society and Tri-M Music Honors Society. Outside of school I served as president of the SPARKS 4-H Club (a robotics club for anyone between the ages of 8-18), president of the Westminster 4-H Club, and participated in Relay for Life.