OARA's Mountain Shredders team during their run at the First Lego League Interior Regional Competition (Image Credit: Okanagan AI and Robotics Academy)

By Liam Verster

First Lego League

Vernon students shine at regional robotics competition  

Feb 26, 2026 | 12:09 PM

Two Vernon teams claimed podium spots at the First Lego League Interior Regional Competition.

Vernon’s teams, comprised of students who are part of the Okanagan AI and Robotics Academy (OARA), came together to design, build and code autonomous robots.

The theme of the competition was “Unearthed,” so the robots were required to complete missions and tasks on a Lego field inspired by real-world archaeological discoveries.

OARA represented Vernon with four teams: three in Challenge Division (ages nine to 16), and one in the Explore Division (ages six to 10).

During the event, the OARA’s Team Excavators, made up of Nelson Sage, Silas Arsenault and Luke Smith, placed second overall and won the Engineering Excellence Award. The team Mountain Shredders, consisting of Kesler Embley, Sidharth Pillai, and Manthon Vo, placed third overall and also won the First Core Values Award. Both were part of the Challenge Division.

Increase Tied to Inflation

B.C.'s minimum wage going up to $18.25

1h ago

Business Mentors

New Chamber Ambassador Program to help entrepreneurs get settled, make connections in Vernon

Feb 25, 2026

Fatal Incident

IH reviewing how hit and run victim left care

Feb 25, 2026

Team Excavators with their second place prize at the First Lego League Interior Regional Competition (Image Credit: OARA)

Mountain Shredders with their third place prize at the First Lego League Interior Regional Competition (Image Credit: OARA)

OARA said the other local teams, Team Saturday and Vernon Explorers, also did very well in the competition, which saw 17 groups from across the Interior participate.

After securing the podium spots, the two local teams will join the ffirst-placewinner in the provincial First Lego League robotics competition . That will run in Maple Ridge in March.

 —