Rutherford County Schools
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 10:45 am

The annual Carolina Isobots Robotics Tournament was held recently at R-S Central High School as elementary and middle schools students across Rutherford County participated.

Through LEGO FIRST League challenges, participants demonstrated teamwork, creativity, and real-world problem solving in action.

Ellenboro Elementary's Project W.A.L.L.E. Team, was the 2026 tournament champion with coaches Molly Leonard and Jordon Crowe. The event was organized by Kim Carpenter.

"Moments like these highlight the opportunities our students have to explore STEM, think critically, and build a foundation for the future," said a school spokesperson.

Others school winners included:

Cliffside Elementary School Eaglebots: Core Values Award, 1st place; Sunshine Elementary School Diggin Bears 250, Core Value Award, 2nd place; Pinnacle Elementary School Paleo Panthers, Core Value Award, 3rd place; East Rutherford Middle School Relic Rovers, Project Award, 1st place; Ellenboro Elementary School: Paws & Past, Project Award, 2nd place; Chase Middle School Domers, Project Award, 3rd place; Rutherfordton Elementary, Rock Robots, Robot Design Award, 1st place; Chase Middle School, Documentators, 2nd place; Forrest Hunt Elementary School, Cosmic Curators, 3rd place; Robot Award: Robot Performance, 1st place, Ellenboro Elementary School Project W.A.L.L.E; 2nd place, Rutherfordton Elementary Rockin Relics; Harris Elementary School The Dino Diggers, third place; Judges Award: Rising All-Star, Forest City Dunbar Elementary School Masterminds; Champion Award: Ellenboro Elementary School Project W.A.L.L.E. Coach Award Randy Neyer.