Team SWARM, made up of students from South Albany and West Albany high schools, is competing at the Pacific Northwest robotics championship event this weekend at Memorial Coliseum. Heading into the competition, Team SWARM is ranked ninth among all other teams.

The team placed second at the last two district events, taking home a Judges Award and a Quality Award.

The team is organized by students but has the support of coaches, mentors and parents. Parent Jodie Bowens Shilling praised the students and showed her support on a team Facebook post: “Kudos for all their hard work these past few months. They definitely deserve our praise and recognition. Signed….one proud mama and wife to a mentor.”

The competition in Portland is open to the public — admission is free. The team is also seeking support to help fund expenses for their trip to Houston, Texas, for the world championship competition on April 18-21. Read more on the SWARM 957 To FRC World Championship fundraising page on gofundme.com.