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At Essex Brownell, we believe that innovation and determination are the driving forces behind progress. Whether it’s in engineering, manufacturing, or robotics, success comes from pushing boundaries, solving complex problems, and never backing down from a challenge. That’s why we were inspired by the passion and ingenuity of the North Side High School Robotics Team, the Iron Legends.
North Side High School is a public school in Fort Wayne with 1,474 students, and its robotics team represents it well. As an under-resourced and often overlooked team, the Iron Legends, Team 9119, are proving that hard work, determination, and innovation can take you far. Despite facing challenges with resources, they refuse to let that hold them back. On top of designing, building, and programming their robot, they’ve taken on the responsibility of securing sponsorships, reaching out to businesses and organizations to gain the support they need to compete.
“This team has put in the work and continues to show real dedication to learning and pushing themselves forward,” said Jason Krauskopf, President of Essex Brownell. “We’re proud to support them and can’t wait to see how far they go this season.”
The Iron Legends are one of nearly 3500 teams that compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition, a global program designed to equip students with hands-on STEM experience. With teams in over 110 countries, FIRST Robotics challenges high school students to design, build, and program industrial-sized robots to compete in fast-paced, team-based competitions. Each season introduces a new game with unique obstacles, pushing teams to think critically, adapt quickly, and develop innovative engineering solutions under strict time constraints. Through this program, students gain real-world problem-solving skills, technical expertise, and teamwork experience, preparing them for future careers in engineering, technology, and beyond.
Participating in FIRST Robotics is more than just an exciting challenge, it’s an experience that builds real-world skills that can be highlighted on college applications and future resumés. From designing and building robots to mastering C++ coding, students gain hands-on experience in engineering, programming, and teamwork, all of which are highly valued in both higher education and the workforce.
Beyond competition, FIRST fosters a strong mentorship culture, allowing alumni to give back by guiding the next generation of innovators. The Iron Legends are fortunate to have dedicated mentors like Priyanka, an engineer at General Motors; Drew, Morgan, and Marcelo, all seniors at Purdue Fort Wayne. Priyanka participated in FIRST Robotics in Iowa, Drew in Indiana, Morgan in Texas, and Marcelo in Mexico. They offer a unique perspective and mentorship that only FIRST alumni can provide, connecting with students through shared experiences and challenges.
We wanted to do more than just support the team financially. We wanted to give them something that reflected the hard work and creativity they pour into their projects. That’s why we took the logo created by third-year team member, Devin, and created a custom design that went beyond an ordinary team jacket. Instead of just one logo placed on the back, the Iron Legends logo is repeated throughout the jacket’s interior, making it a truly unique and meaningful piece for the team.
Every student on this team represents the future of engineering, robotics, and problem-solving. With the guidance of their mentors and the relentless pursuit of excellence, these students are proving that all great innovation just starts with a spark.
The team has put in about seven weeks of work on their robot and all that stands between the Iron Legends and the April 2025 FIRST World Championship are three competitions in Mishawaka, Lafayette, and Greenwood.
We are incredibly proud of the passion, drive, and teamwork they have shown thus far, and we are excited to follow the team's journey over the next few months. We know the future of innovation is in capable hands.
