The FIRST Impact Award is the most prestigious award at FIRST. It honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST.

The FIRST Impact Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant measurable impact of its partnerships among its participants and community over a sustained period, not just a single build season. The winner is able to demonstrate progress towards FIRST’s mission of transforming our culture. The recipient team will be eligible to interview at the FIRST Championship where it will compete for the FIRST Impact Award against winners from other qualifying events.

This team relentlessly drives their efforts to spread the mission of FIRST near and far. They PAY it forward by providing STEM access to students in disadvantaged regions with initial training, continued mentoring, and an underlying goal of self-replicating sustainability. By building ecosystems on seven symbolic pillars, this team honors the history of its mascot by looking towards the future and courageously advancing STEM opportunities and the mission of FIRST in some of the most challenging regions on earth.

Congratulations, Team 9545!

FIRST Leadership Award Finalists are outstanding passionate student leaders who demonstrate exemplary effectiveness at attaining FIRST ideals.

They were nominated by their teams for their direct contributions and impact on others – exemplifying leadership and commitment, on the team and in their community. FIRST Leadership Award Finalists, recognized here today, are also our nominees for the FIRST Leadership Award at the Championships.

I will announce the names one at a time…

Congratulations to the first FIRST Leadership Award Finalist

Mohammad W from Team 3624!

Congratulations to the second FIRST Leadership Award Finalist:

Cameren T from Team 7718!

The Rookie All-Star Award celebrates the rookie team exemplifying a young but strong partnership effort, as well as implementing the mission of FIRST to inspire students to learn more about science and technology.

Every rookie experience is unique… that said, some may be more unique than others: Most rookie teams don’t document their entire season or host the most viewed build blog in their country. Most rookie teams didn’t need to redesign and rebuild their entire robot just so they could come here and share their story. For their local impact, their team spirit, and the way they repeatedly demonstrate a passion for FIRST in the face of adversity, they are Rookie All Stars!

Congratulations Team 11010!

The Engineering Inspiration Award sponsored by SpaceX celebrates a team who demonstrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school or organization, and community.

A commitment to science and technology is at the core of this team’s culture. By promoting STEM in every corner of their school, running an off-season competition, and raising funds for children fighting pediatric cancer, this team is truly golden. Whether it’s kimchi or Koshar on a Friday night, this team soars to new heights.

Congratulations Team 3624!

The New York Tech Valley FIRST Regional Champions.

This alliance rose to the many challenges of REBUILT and proved to be an exciting competitive combination. They can now proudly hang a Winner’s banner in their Pit.

Congratulations to the Alliance Captain, Team 1796 and their partners: Team 870 and Team 263!

Regional Finalist celebrates the alliance that makes it to the final match of the competition. FIRST recognizes the talent of these outstanding competitors. They were sensational and we are proud to honor them.

Congratulations to the Alliance Captain, Team 6436 and their partners: Team 9545 and Team 10202!

Please join us in congratulating the 2026 New York Tech Valley Regional Woodie Flowers FINALIST Award winner, Varada Pandya-Vaughan, from Team 5881!

The Industrial Design Award celebrates the team that demonstrates industrial design principles, striking a balance between form, function, and aesthetics.

All the teams here faced constraints in their robot design: size… weight… time. But then again, most of the teams here didn’t need to fit their robot into 4 pieces of checked luggage. This high performing machine wow’d the judges with its clean design, beautiful machining, and "high volume" scoring. After visiting one of New York’s most notable landmarks, this team aptly named their robot that "scores like a waterfall" Niagara.

Congratulations Team 6436!

During the course of the competition, the judging panel may decide that a team’s unique efforts, performance, or dynamics merit recognition.

This team dives into their community and its youth by demonstrating their robot at the local Museum, engaging home schoolers into their team, and providing mobility for those in need. The team demonstrated learning from other teams by using advanced materials to improve their performance. They also showed falcon-like focus on fun and developing a team for the future.

Congratulations Team 1405!

The Rising All-Star Award celebrates the team that has persisted through challenges, despite the difficulties of being young. This could be the result of being a new team, or a team with recent turnover in membership.

This bright new star has already built a strong foundation to inspire future engineers. They create artifacts to help children, the visually impaired, the elderly, and animals. They are one team, with one heart and big dreams.

Congratulations Team 11010!

The Team Spirit Award celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork furthering the objectives of FIRST.

The spirit of FIRST is alive and well in this team. Whether it’s lending a hand in the pits, teaching coding in the community, or bringing STEM kits to elementary school students, this team sparkles with enthusiasm. At home and away, this herd proves that you really can ‘catch ‘em all’.

Congratulations Team 3044!

The Excellence in Engineering Award sponsored by Littelfuse celebrates the team whose machine incorporates an engineering solution designed to have components work together seamlessly.

This team dominated the field, intaking heaps of fuel effortlessly and depositing it with pinpoint accuracy. They grew together and "SPROUT"-ed an elegant and uniquely engineered carwash-inspired design. Though they may be from Queens, they’re undoubtedly the Kings of Engineering Excellence!

Congratulations Team 1796!

The Team Sustainability Award sponsored by Dow celebrates a team which has developed sustainable practices that focus on a "triple bottom line", that is: People, Prosperity and Planet, to have a positive impact and achieve long-term continuity.

Primary colors don’t just start the picture—they make it possible. This team has painted a self-portrait of a future bursting with potential. Their wild red palette isn’t just on display—it’s ready to leave its mark on the whole gallery.

Congratulations Team 6806!

The Gracious Professionalism^® Award celebrates outstanding demonstration of FIRST Core Values such as continuous Gracious Professionalism, sportsmanship, and working together both on and off the playing field.

When teams are sidelined by broken components, they stop by the pit of this opponent. Our winners didn’t wait to be asked, their printing service was widely broadcast. In a game that can be chaotic, they helped other teams from going psycho!

Congratulations Team 533!

The Creativity Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation celebrates a creative robotic component, concept, or attribute that enhances strategy of play and was intentionally designed and not discovered.

How do you get out of a jam? Just don't get stuck! This team's clever mechanism allows them to capture fuel and always be on the go. They don't worry about getting stuffed due to their passive overflow.

Congratulations to Team 870!

The Quality Award celebrates machine robustness in concept and fabrication. Building the robot is only part of their success and the judges recognize them as a quality example to others.

This team’s robot design and build processes Screamed quality and had the judges SINGING their praises. The team analyzed failure modes from previous competitions to ensure their robot had the quality to stand up to this weekend’s competitors. OHHHH-my did it work!

Congratulations Team 4122, Ossining OBOTS!

The Innovation in Control Award celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components - electrical, mechanical, or software - to provide unique machine functions.

In a well choreographed dance, this team’s robot lights the way to locate game pieces. With a few button pushes they IGNITE and control innovation.

Congratulations Team 3173, IgKnighters!

The Autonomous Award sponsored by Google.org celebrates the team that has demonstrated consistent, reliable, high-performance robot operation during autonomous actions during match play. Evaluation is based on the robot’s ability to sense its surroundings, position itself or onboard mechanisms appropriately, and execute tasks.

This team autonomously cruised around the field and was able to easily navigate all obstacles. They "upgraded their ride" to increase the amount of fuel they could carry. We are here to give them their autonomous crown!

Congratulations Team 5736, Kingsmen Robotics!

The Imagery Award is in honor of Jack Kamen, Dean's father, for his dedication to art, illustration, and his devotion to FIRST. This award celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration of machine and team appearance.

This team’s visuals extend as far as the eye can SEA. Their theme unites their school and sponsors with a love of the ocean and the sky. Otto the Octopus really makes a splash!

Congratulations Team 8222, The Argonauts!