McAllen teacher looks back at the first ten years of FIRST in the Rio Grande Valley

MCALLEN, Texas - As the sun rose over McAllen on a milestone day, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. FIRST in Texas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering STEM education, marked its 10th anniversary in serving the Rio Grande Valley by revealing the latest season challenge for the FIRST® Tech Challenge program. In a region that has long needed more educational programs like FIRST®, this celebration wasn't just about a game—it was about a decade of transformation in the Rio Grande Valley, a community that has embraced the power of robotics to inspire and uplift its youth. At the McAllen kickoff event, hosted at McAllen Memorial High School, students, educators, and community leaders gathered to witness the unveiling of INTO THE DEEP, a new challenge that will take students beneath the surface of the oceans to innovate solutions for a better future. Across Texas, similar kickoff events were held in eight different areas, each one brimming with teams representing a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. These University Interscholastic League (UIL) approved competitions will culminate in the 2025 State Championship in Belton, Texas, where the best of the best will showcase their ingenuity and teamwork. For Jason Arms, one of the founders of FIRST RGV and now CEO of FIRST in Texas, the day was especially meaningful. Reflecting on his journey in supporting teams since 2014, Arms shared his deep pride in the growth and impact of FIRST® programs in the Valley. "In 2014, a few of us STEM enthusiasts came together to support the 40 or so robotics teams that existed in the Rio Grande Valley at the time," Arms recalled. "Within just a few years, that number grew to more than 300 teams across all three programs, and we achieved parity with other regions in Texas in terms of representation and grant funding." Arms’ vision and dedication have been instrumental in bringing STEM opportunities to a region that previously lacked the resources to fully participate in such programs.McAllen teacher and robotics competition referee David Ruiz has been with FIRST in the Valley from the beginning. Here is an interview he gave the Rio Grande Guardian. Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.