Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-06-11

RECOGNIZING THE POTOMAC SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAMS FOR THEIR SUCCESS AT THE VIRGINIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

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On 2026-06-11, Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA-11) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE POTOMAC SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAMS FOR THEIR SUCCESS AT THE VIRGINIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP" in the House.

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RECOGNIZING THE POTOMAC SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAMS FOR THEIR SUCCESS AT THE VIRGINIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E571] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE POTOMAC SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAMS FOR THEIR SUCCESS AT THE VIRGINIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ______ HON. JAMES R. WALKINSHAW of virginia in the house of representatives Thursday, June 11, 2026 Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the robotics teams from The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia, for their outstanding performance at the Virginia VEX V5 Robotics Competition State Championship. These students have demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity, and teamwork in one of the most competitive and rapidly growing robotics programs in the world. Competing against top teams from across the Commonwealth, each team represented their school and community with distinction and advanced to the elimination rounds. I would like to recognize the members of Team 12C: Santiago Cangahuala, Nikhil Kothari, Julian Mankovsky, Trevor Nelson, and Cole Peterson, whose strong performance carried them to the semifinals of the state championship. I would also like to recognize Team 12S Syndicate: David Hallam, Zane Amr, Jacob Cordero, Hank Kelly, and Shlok Kuchangi, who earned a place at the VEX Robotics World Championship through their first-place finish in the Skills Championship. I would like to offer special recognition to Team 12Z Zap: Tony Diller, Quentin Toner, Sophia Vilela, Alejandra Villafuerte, Deven Tuladhar, Aidan Kaminski, and Samuel Kim. Team 12Z delivered an exceptional performance at the state championship, finishing with an undefeated 8-0 record and winning the tournament title. In addition to their competitive success, they earned the Excellence Award, the highest honor in the competition, recognizing overall achievement in match performance, robot design, engineering documentation, and team interview. With this accomplishment, Team 12Z has qualified to represent Virginia at the VEX Robotics World Championship in St. Louis. The success of these teams reflects the strength of STEM education in Northern Virginia and the dedication of the teachers, coaches, mentors, and families who support these students. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the robotics teams of The Potomac School on their recent achievements and wishing them continued success as they represent our region on the global stage at the VEX Robotics World Championship.

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RECOGNIZING THE POTOMAC SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAMS FOR THEIR SUCCESS AT THE VIRGINIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E571] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE POTOMAC SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAMS FOR THEIR SUCCESS AT THE VIRGINIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ______ HON. JAMES R. WALKINSHAW of virginia in the house of representatives Thursday, June 11, 2026 Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the robotics teams from The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia, for their outstanding performance at the Virginia VEX V5 Robotics Competition State Championship. These students have demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity, and teamwork in one of the most competitive and rapidly growing robotics programs in the world. Competing against top teams from across the Commonwealth, each team represented their school and community with distinction and advanced to the elimination rounds. I would like to recognize the members of Team 12C: Santiago Cangahuala, Nikhil Kothari, Julian Mankovsky, Trevor Nelson, and Cole Peterson, whose strong performance carried them to the semifinals of the state championship. I would also like to recognize Team 12S Syndicate: David Hallam, Zane Amr, Jacob Cordero, Hank Kelly, and Shlok Kuchangi, who earned a place at the VEX Robotics World Championship through their first-place finish in the Skills Championship. I would like to offer special recognition to Team 12Z Zap: Tony Diller, Quentin Toner, Sophia Vilela, Alejandra Villafuerte, Deven Tuladhar, Aidan Kaminski, and Samuel Kim. Team 12Z delivered an exceptional performance at the state championship, finishing with an undefeated 8-0 record and winning the tournament title. In addition to their competitive success, they earned the Excellence Award, the highest honor in the competition, recognizing overall achievement in match performance, robot design, engineering documentation, and team interview. With this accomplishment, Team 12Z has qualified to represent Virginia at the VEX Robotics World Championship in St. Louis. The success of these teams reflects the strength of STEM education in Northern Virginia and the dedication of the teachers, coaches, mentors, and families who support these students. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the robotics teams of The Potomac School on their recent achievements and wishing them continued success as they represent our region on the global stage at the VEX Robotics World Championship.