MEET
THE
TEAM
Team Captians
Our team doesn't have specifically elected leaders in the way some teams do. We always want to make sure that everyone has chances to contribute to the team in all kinds of ways so we make most/all decisions with all members of the team equally. However, these 2 individuals are outstanding in their help, guidance, and contributions to the team as a whole. Because of this, we've given them the title of captain to thank them for all of their dedication and to show everyone how amazing they are!
Wren Krause
My name is Wren Krause. I am one of the team captains of Sparta Robotica and I have been doing Robotics for 4 years now. I am 17 years old and I really enjoy being a part of our team and can't wait to do FRC this year. I am one of our head CAD people and I enjoy designing our different components. I can't wait to work with the team more and getting to bring our ideas to life! Go team 3648!
Sam McPherson
Hi! I am Sam, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School. This is my third year on the team, and I couldn't be more excited! I am the head programmer on the team, and I have been programming for several years. I have had so much fun being part of the team these past years, and I can't wait to compete this season!
Programming
Our subsystem encourages programmers to problem-solve and resolve issues logically and intuitively. We teach prospective programmers to be fluent in multiple languages and write efficiently. We also encourage our underclassmen to be involved in the development of the project as a whole to help them gain essential life skills that they can carry out throughout their high school careers. Here are the amazing coders on this team:
Subsystem Lead
Idris Tinwala
Hello! My name is Idris Tinwala. I am currently a high school senior at Thomas Jefferson High School and I have been in the Robotics program every year except my sophomore year. Ever since I was a kid, I loved to build contraptions in Lego, and this program has been really enlightened me to pursue my interests and career as a prospective Mechanical Engineer or Computer Scientist on a larger and more competitive scale. Working as part of a dedicated team has also helped me gain essential life skills I'll need in my near future. I am honored to be a mechanical member and coder for this team.
Michael Benissan
Hi, I'm Michael (but a lot of people just call me Mike). I am 17 years old and am a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School. After High School, I plan on studying Mechanical Engineering. I have always been fascinated with robotics since I was in elementary school and taking this class would allow me to explore that more creative side of myself by helping with the mechanical aspect of the robot and coding. Overall, I am excited to participate in the 2024 FRC season as a member of the Sparta Robotica team.
Evangelia Latsis
Hello, my name is Evangelia Latsis and I am passionate about robotics because of how many skills I learn working through mechanical and computer-based challenges. Not only am I learning how to do things such as building and coding, that will be helpful in my future career as an engineer, but I am having fun as well. I have gained other helpful skills as well, such as working with peers and expressing ideas. Overall, no other class or club will prepare me for my future as much as robotics which is why I find it so helpful and enjoyable.
Chassis & Wiring
Our subsystem works on the main body of the robot (chassis) and all the wiring for the bot and its componentsot. We teach teammates how to connect electrical circuits and aesthetically organize wires. We also build other necessary parts of the team from bot carts to the PR team we do all the miscellaneous tasks to help our team succeed both on and off the field. In addition, we work to build online docs, websites like this one, and scouting forms so that we can stay organized and have the greatest chance of winning.
Subsystem Leads
Karima Adam
HI! My name is Karima Adam. I am a Senior at TJ and so thrilled to be apart of this years FRC team! I joined the program last year and have learned so much since. I would like to continue my education studying Mechanical Engineering and this was a great intro to the engineering field. I can't wait to build new relationships with my teammates and create great memories by building an amazing robot!!
Tavin MacKinnon
Hi, I'm Tavin MacKinnon, and I'm excited to be continuing on in this team for my second season of FRC. While I spend a lot of time working on different projects for our team, I spend more in different music activities. I play trumpet, as well as several other brass instruments, and enjoy making music with our school music program. My main focus on the team has been in wiring and electrical for our robots. Robotics has taught me a plethora of useful skills that can apply to many facets of life, which I use almost daily.
Mariah Williams
Hi! My name is Mariah Williams, I’m 17 and I’m a Thomas Jefferson High School senior. At TJ I’m involved in countless teams and groups: music, writing, and DECA, but my favorite is (obvi) robotics! On the team, I mainly work with the wiring group but I dabble in the mechanics every once in a while. I’ve been in robotics all 4 years and it’s been life-changing, I wish I could do it all again. I wanna thank the team for being my favorite group of nerds and the mentors for helping me refine my passions and grow as a person. Thank you TJ Robotics, GO SPARTA ROBOTICAAAAAA!!!!!
Ben Finke
Hi, my name is Ben I’m a junior at TJ and I’ve only been a part of robotics for 2 years with this being my first year in FRC. Some of my favorite pastimes are volleyball, video games, and figuring out complex problems. I like working with others and coming up with unique solutions to problems. I’ve helped with all of the subsystems this year and it’s fun figuring out which group is my favorite.
Christian Parra-Vargas
My name is Christian. I like to play video games, listening to music, and designing new things. I plan on studying engineering which led me to robotics. I have a passion for new technology and being able to create stuff in this class will shape my overall future.
Breck Shupe
Hi, I'm Breck. I'm a junior, I have been a part of robotics for 3 years now and have worked with robots my whole life. Robotics has been a very influential part of my life from an early age. I love tinkering with things, playing video games, watching TV shows, and hanging out with friends! Last year I went to the international seaperch competition and placed in the top 10 and I'm excited to go out of state again this year for First Robotics. I'm also happy to meet other robotics students and mentors.
Intake & Shooter
The intake shooter team hit the ground running this season with prototypes and detailed planning, they have gone through many different iterations of this mechanism in order to create the most efficent model. With tons of hours of work they have had to work with the other systems to find the best placement for the shooter and intake on the bot as well as how it was going to correspond with the other subsystems to make it the most effective. Everyone had to come together on the team to make it work the best way it could.
Subsystem Leads
Asher Frost
Hey, I am an 18 year old senior at Thomas Jefferson High School. I have been a part of the team for a few years now and was the lead driver of the 2023 FRC season. I am an aspiring computer science major or engineering major, and robotics has been a major deciding factor in that, I love this team.
Claire Mahoney
Hi! my name is Claire Mahoney, and I am 17 years old and a Senior at Thomas Jefferson high school. Since my freshman year, I have been in the robotics program (CCTM). This is my third year on the team. I am primarily a mechanical member and you'll usually find me CADding or in the shop :)
Evan Whistler
Hi, my name Is Evan, this year I’m a junior at TJ. This is my first year working on Sparta Robotica, TJ’s FRC team. I’m working as an Intake Subsystem lead but I’ve worked with and contributed to all of the subsystems. When I’m not building robots, I like to run, swim, and relax with some music. I love problem solving with robotics and my season goal this year is to further my leadership skills!
Kegan White
I’m a senior in highschool I like building robots and working with my hands. I’ve been with the team for two years now and have enjoyed every ounce of time I’ve spent. Some of my other hobbies include Lego building and playing video games.
Jacob Childs
Hi my name is Jacob, I am a junior at TJ, and this is my third year in robotics. This is my first time on the FRC team, and I am super excited. I have mainly been working on the intake and shooter of the robot, however I am also a 3d printer goblin. Some of my other hobbies are gaming, Olympic lifting, and dj-ing.
Brian Parra-Vargas
My name is Brian, am 17 years old and currently attending Thomas Jefferson High School. My interests include soccer, football, video games and traveling. I currently enjoy designing and bringing things to life. I also enjoy putting things together and working with my hands. I deeply enjoy working with robotics and hope to bring my skills to engineering in the future.
Tyler Williams
I am really thankful for the opportunity to participate in Robotics this year and help my team out and compete in competitions. Things I like to do outside of robotics would be hockey, spending time in nature, playing video games, and lacrosse. The most important thing to me would have to be my faith in God and family which has helped me get this far in life and am able to decide on what I want to do with my life and I am just very grateful for that.
Climber
The climber subsystem has been working hard all season to overcome challenges like champs. Taking inspiration from one of our previous climbing mechanisms, this team thoroughly designed and tested the climber for our robot to be able to sustain its full weight on a chain. Many prototypes and different iterations of the hooks and overall mechanism have been made to reach our final design.
Subsystem Leads
Evan Escutia
I'm Evan. This is my third year in robotics and I'm a junior. I mainly work on assembly. I enjoy the hands-on work of building even though it's hard work. I have a lot of fun with it. This season while I'll still be assembling I'll also work on 3D modeling and printing. This season I hope to have a productive and fun FRC season.
Amelie Miller
Hi! My name is Amelie and I've been doing robotics for two years now as a Junior. I am really passionate about problem-solving and figuring out solutions to the problems that we face every day. I want to make a difference regarding engineering or anything stem-related. I focus mainly on the mechanical aspects of the robot as well as any extra wiring that needs to be done. I'm super excited for the upcoming FRC season and to make something cool.
Estelle Wheeler
Hi, my name is Estelle Wheeler and I am a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School. I’ve been a part of robotics for a year now and enjoy the aspects of the class that give me an impression of engineering. I hope to go into aerospace engineering in college and continue mechanical studies.
MiCaela Ellis
I'm a junior at Thomas Jefferson high school and after highschool I plan on going to technician school for aircrafts.
Alejandro Martinez-Acosta
Hello, my name is Alejandro Martinez-Acosta a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School, I am part of TJ Robotics team and part of the climber subsystem. I am also the Battalion Commander of the Thomas Jefferson JROTC program and the most senior cadet in the JROTC program. My plan after High school is to be commissioned as an Army Officer in the ROTC program.
CNC TEAM
The climber subsystem has been working hard all season to overcome challenges like champs. Taking inspiration from one of our previous climbing mechanisms, this team thoroughly designed and tested the climber for our robot to be able to sustain its full weight on a chain. Many prototypes and different iterations of the hooks and overall mechanism have been made to reach our final design.
Kenton Nguyen
This is my 4th year in my robotics class and my second year doing FRC. Last year I mostly worked on the CNC and I plan to work on it this year as well. I also plan to scout like last year. I am sure that this year is going to be fun and I am excited for the competition.
Liam Poirier
Hiya, I'm Liam Poirier, I'm a junior at TJ and still fairly new to the whole FRC workflow. I'm excited to work with the team and compete. I play golf and compete in long drive as an amateur I'm one of the longest-hitting golfers in the world and hope to use my furthered understanding of mechanics that robotics is helping to develop to get even better.
Robert Yager
Hey! I'm Robert, I'm a 3d printing guy for robotics. I like food, doing anything but coding or CNC, and just doing my own little thing in the 3d printing room. I tend to do a bit much and complicate things, but at the end of the day I get things done, and I keep the room looking like a shop, clean but productive. You can tell I have nothing to do if the room and shop are spotless and quiet.
Underclassmen
These young members are extremely dedicated and loved by the team. Being underclassmen, they have no allotted time to join us making their constant attendance and work during our build days especially endearing. Once these amazing kids join Robotics 3, we're excited to see what experience and creativity they'll have to contribute and how they'll lead.
Dylan Ahl
Hi, I'm Dylan and I'm a freshman at Thomas Jefferson Highschool. I'm interested in engineering and learning how to code.
Ahmed Egdaire
I am a freshman at Thomas Jefferson High School. I joined because I enjoy the team atmosphere and the many challenges that come with solving problems. I am a fan of playing soccer and have little coding experience.
Samuel Hougas
My name is Samuel Hougas and I'm 16 years old. I'm a sophomore and in the robotics 2 class. I go by he/him pronouns. I'm interested in building and designing for robotics.
Davis Johnson
Howdy! My names Davis I'm a freshie here @ TJ! I am da smartest 9th grader @ TJ! I does soccer & Lacross @ TJ!! I'm a PROUD Spartan @ TJ, GO 3648
Carter Kuhn
Hi, my name is Carter Kuhn, and I am a freshman at Thomas Jefferson High School. Since a young age, I have always been interested in technology and became interested in what has to do with it. I've always enjoyed both making robots and coding. I joined Sparta Robotica to continue growing my understanding of coding and robotics, and to also to have a good group to socialize with, as I am a very social person. I will always try as hard as I can to complete the task given and even give myself a challenge.
Ronnie Tucker
Hi, my name's Ronald but I go by Ronnie I'm a freshman at tj and this is my first year on the team and at tj I love to build stuff and am fond of programming even though I'm not that good at it. I'd love to be one of the builders and hope that I can keep doing this and I'm super excited!
Avery Vinlove
I am a freshman of TJ who joined robotics on a whim and due to recommendations from others. I plan on continuing throughout high school and enjoy programming recreationally, working with a team, and solving problems.
Mentors
Our team is lead and taught by Mr. Santanbrogio. He's the glue that holds the team together and is amazing at helping students learn new skills. All of the mentors for the team are here by choice and frequently make time to help us even with busy schedules.
Matt Santambrogio
This is my twelfth year as a robotics mentor and ninth year as a full-time robotics teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School. In my past life, I have worked as a line cook, a construction worker, a pyro-technician, a machinist, managed a tattoo parlor, worked as a roadie, and much more. When not roboticizing I enjoy spending time with my wife and our two dogs, working on my motorcycle, my 1956 Chevy pick-up, and my 1968 Lincoln. Outside of my life in robotics, I enjoy camping, hunting, reading, fishing, scuba diving, and working with my hands.
Leanne Golledge
Peter Golledge
Born in Canada to Welsh and Scottish parents, grew up in Australia, moved to US in the 90s. Still trying to find my towel. Currently managing a team managing IT infrastructure for a US technology company. I have the pleasure of working with folk remotely from all over the world in my "day" job. I'm volunteering at TJ Robotics to help the next generation of young folk find the passion in technology that helped me have a great career.
Houston Hood
I am a Thomas Jefferson and First alum studying mechanical engineering at Colorado School of Mines.
Scott Peck
Hello! My name is Scott. The students call me Scottalicious, Scotty P, or ScottBot. I'm a cloud/software architect, and I spend my free time locked in my garage building machines I don't need. I own a 3D printer. I like to break things, fix them, play board/video games, and eatting tacos. I have fantastic hair a great personality, and I'm always ready to help the students when and with whatever they need. I'M ALSO VERY BOSSY :)
Tonya Powers
I am a Colorado native, a mom of two FIRST Robotics kids, Noland and Kendall, and a Registered Nurse. I do not know how to code, CAD, or use a 3-D printer, but I have been doing the YMCA, Chicken Dance, and the Cha-Cha Slide dances since 2012 when my son first started robotics for a rival team. (Release the Kraken!) I am mentoring this year because I can bring creativity and my love of crafting to Sparta Robotica. I am blown away by the problem-solving and creativity these kids have.
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Gary Seils
I am originally from New York and moved to Denver in 1980. I have 8 years of FIRST experience, 4 years with my son Noland at George Washington, and 4 years at TJ with my daughter Kendall. I work as a therapist in private practice with clients with Eating Disorders. My hobbies and interests include photography, cycling, and woodworking. I am also a die-hard hockey fan.
Kendall Seils
I am originally from New York and moved to Denver in 1980. I have 8 years of FIRST experience, 4 years with my son Noland at George Washington, and 4 years at TJ with my daughter Kendall. I work as a therapist in private practice with clients with Eating Disorders. My hobbies and interests include photography, cycling, and woodworking. I am also a die-hard hockey fan.
Tony Stoltz
I moved to America from Australia in 1992, then moved to Colorado in 1993. Ive been an electronic technician at the fifth busiest airport in the United States is a very satisfying job to be in. I help make the security systems, and fire alarms. Helping kids develop their engineering skills in robotics and seeing them succeed is so rewarding.