Vanguard's Happy Campers Headed to Sphero World Championship
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BATAVIA, Ill. - illiNews -- For the second consecutive year, Vanguard Gifted Academy's upper elementary robotics team, Vanguard's Happy Campers (Team 1948-06-02), has qualified for the 2026 Sphero World Championship.

The team, comprised of "Band Two" students in 3rd through 5th grade, received their invitation this week following a rigorous qualifying round. They will represent Vanguard in the BOLT+ Upper Elementary division, competing against top student teams from across the globe in a virtual arena designed to test programming and collaborative problem-solving.

A Culture of Perseverance While the competition centers on a "Wilderness Survival" theme—requiring students to program Sphero BOLT+ robots through complex missions—the real victory lies in the students' character development.

"This is a huge accomplishment, but it isn't just about winning," says Amy Trujillo, Head of School. "It's about perseverance. These students work through high-level challenges and learn to truly collaborate. Seeing them reach the world stage again is a testament to their grit."

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Empowering Student-Led Innovation A key driver of the team's success is the coaching of Kelly McCarney. An educator known for her empowering approach, McCarney ensures that while the students are well-prepared, the solutions remain entirely their own.

"Kelly is an incredible coach," Trujillo adds. "She works hard to prepare them, but she is intentional about making sure the students do the work on their own. They own every line of code and every decision. That independence is what we strive for at Vanguard."

The Road to the Championship The "Happy Campers" are now entering their final preparation phase, preparing an in-depth presentation for a panel of expert judges. Their live virtual presentations are scheduled between April 27 and May 7, 2026.

This repeat qualification highlights Vanguard's personalized learning tracks, which allow students to dive deep into STEM at a pace that matches their advanced abilities.

About Vanguard Gifted Academy: Vanguard Gifted Academy, located in Batavia, Illinois, is a micro-school serving gifted and neurodivergent learners. Through a personalized, project-based curriculum, Vanguard empowers students to explore their passions and embrace challenges. The school will host a "Discovery Day" Open House on April 11th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Visit: http://vanguardgiftedacademy.org