RE RoboPigeons win Innovate Award at 33-team robotics qualifier

By Biscayne Bay Beacon staff · October 28, 2026 · 1 min read

Three students in green robotics shirts hold award plaques inside a gymnasium. — Three members of Ransom Everglades' RoboPigeons robotics team pose with their award plaques inside the Anderson gymnasium after winning the Innovate Award and Tournament Finalists award at the "Override" qualifier in Coconut Grove. Courtesy: Ransom Everglades School

Ransom Everglades' RoboPigeons won the Innovate Award and a Tournament Finalists award at an Oct. 18, 2026, robotics qualifier hosted by the Coconut Grove school.

The school reported that the competition drew 33 teams from across South Florida, including three from Ransom Everglades. The official VEX event listing confirms the date and the venue, the school's Harry H. Anderson Gymnasium.

Porter Sanderson, Israel Garcia and Dylan Kantesaria won both awards on behalf of the five-member RoboPigeons team, according to the school's Oct. 20 report. The roster also includes Sidney Schwartz and Karim Gandor. Garcia is in the Class of 2028; the other four students are in the Class of 2029.

RE coach Bob DuBard organized the tournament with help from students, parents and professional community members. The school described it as its opening robotics competition of the season.

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From the Editor

Megan O'Neill

Editor

Megan published her first poem in the Sun Sentinel at the age of 11 and has been locked in ever since. She attended UF and FIU and has a degree in Communication Arts. Her professional background includes photography, editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. Megan enjoys learning language, art and vegan foods.