What began as an after-school club has transformed into a high-level robotics team competing in VEX Robotics, a worldwide competition where students design robots to complete a variety of challenges. A dedicated group of students has spent years refining their ability to design, build, and program robots for competition.

Teacher and robotics advisor Nick Kirkton—a 2013 Seneca graduate—launched the club seven years ago, and since then, it has grown into a team that regularly competes across the state. The students take the lead in designing and engineering their robots, while Nick acts as more of a facilitator, stepping in when guidance is needed.

For seniors Casey Klicker, Payton McDonald, and Jacob Hasselbring, robotics has become much more than an extracurricular activity—it has shaped their high school experience and their plans for the future.

Casey first got involved with the club last year, initially focusing on creating the engineering notebook—a detailed record of the team’s design process, strategies, and problem-solving approaches. Over time, he became more involved with the hands-on aspects of robotics, developing skills that align with his future plans to become a mechanical engineer.

Payton joined during his freshman year as part of a personal goal to get involved in as many school activities as possible. He stuck with robotics after realizing how much he loved the design elements and the problem-solving challenges. By sophomore year, he and Jacob had partnered up, and they quickly discovered that they worked exceptionally well together. From that point forward, they became a duo, refining their robots through testing and modification, preparing for each new competition.

Jacob, who has always been interested in computers and mechanical design, found robotics to be the perfect blend of both. His freshman year was spent learning the basics, but once he partnered with Payton in sophomore year, everything clicked. The competitions became even more fun, and their teamwork allowed them to improve their robots significantly.

Each year, the VEX Robotics competition presents a new challenge that teams must solve. The students build their robots from the ground up, adjusting designs, testing movements, and refining their approach. But the competition isn’t just about creating a functional robot—it also involves developing a strategy to win.

“It’s not just about building the robot,” Payton explains. “You also have to figure out how to modify it to play the game better. Every competition is different, so you’re constantly adjusting your approach.”

That ability to adapt and problem-solve is something all three students say has helped them in other areas of life. From tackling difficult math problems to handling everyday challenges, robotics has taught them how to break down complex tasks and work through them one step at a time.

Competing at VEX tournaments has also allowed them to represent Seneca High School on a larger stage. While many robotics programs are based in larger suburban schools with bigger teams, Seneca’s students take pride in competing against them and holding their own.

“Most schools we go up against are much bigger than ours,” Nick explains. “But that makes it even more rewarding when we succeed.”

At every competition they’ve entered this year, the team has taken home an award, something Nick is particularly proud of. But the award that stands out most isn’t for technical performance—it’s the Judges’ Award, given for professionalism, teamwork, and communication.

“This one means the most,” Nick says. “Because it’s about the skills that go beyond robotics—the way they conduct themselves, the way they communicate, the way they work as a team. Those are the skills that will serve them well no matter what they do next.”

Each of these seniors has big plans for the future. Casey will attend Bradley University for mechanical engineering, Payton will study computer science at the University of Illinois, and Jacob, also heading to U of I, is keeping his major open as he explores different options.

When asked what "The Seneca Way" means to them, their answers reflect a commitment to effort, excellence, and continuous learning.

“To me, it means showing up every day and putting in your best effort,” Casey says. “It’s about being involved, doing your best, and always pushing forward.”

Payton agrees, adding that it’s also about being part of something bigger. “It’s not just about individual success. It’s about contributing to the school community and working toward something meaningful.”

Jacob sums it up simply: “It’s about never settling for the bare minimum. It’s about taking pride in what you do.”

Through robotics, these students have learned far more than how to build a machine. They’ve learned how to think critically, work as a team, and prepare for the future. As they move on to the next stage of their lives, they take those skills with them—along with the memories of competitions, late nights in the lab, and the excitement of seeing their creations come to life.

And at Seneca High School, the next generation of robotics students is already gearing up to rise to the challenge.