Help FRC Team 498 Get to Houston 2025

We are the Cobra Robotics Booster Club, and we support FRC Team 498, The Cobra Commanders! 

 

In March 2025, students from Peoria Unified School District’s FIRST Robotics Competition Team (Team 498) competed at three regional competitions with outstanding accomplishments at each event:

 

- Winner of the FIRST Engineering Inspiration (EI) Award. The EI Award celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school or organization and community.

- Winner of the Woodie Flowers Finalist Award (Luke Balancio). The Woodie Flowers Award celebrates effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design, recognizing mentors who lead, inspire and empower using excellent communication skills. 

 

- Regional Finalists

- Winners of the Excellence in Engineering award. The Excellence in Engineering Award celebrates the team that demonstrates a professional approach to the design process. 

- FIRST Dean’s List Award Semi-finalists (Gavin Distel & Tyler Smith).  The FIRST Dean's List Award recognizes 10th and 11th grade students who are nominated by their teammates as great examples of student leaders who have led their teams and communities to increased awareness for FIRST and its mission, championing FIRST Core Values such as Inclusion, and embodying Gracious Professionalism^®.  

 

- Regional Finalists

- Winner of the Team Sustainability award. The Team Sustainability award celebrates and recognizes a team which has developed sustainable practices to have a positive environmental impact and achieve long-term continuity. 

 

The Cobra Commanders have now qualified for the FIRST World Championship held annually in Houston, Texas. At the Championship, the team will compete with hundreds of teams from around the world for the World Championship title and the Championship EI Award. However, the cost to travel is high and 55% of student team members are low income, making the trip a financial challenge for the team. The total cost to travel, compete, and improve the robot leading up to the competition will be close to $50,000. The Cobra Commanders are actively looking for sponsors, in kind donations, and funding for travel for the trip as the PUSD students compete alongside the best teams in the world.