Message from Dr. Carlton P. Byrd
Dear 2026 Robotics Tournament Participants:
On behalf of the Southwest Region Conference, I am honored to welcome you to our 2026 Southwest Adventist Robotics Qualifying Tournament — themed “Unearthed.”
This year’s theme reminds us that innovation, creativity, and purpose are often discovered beneath the surface. Just as explorers unearth hidden treasures, you are uncovering new ideas, solutions, and possibilities through robotics and technology. Each challenge you tackle represents more than competition — it reflects curiosity, perseverance, and the courage to dig deeper in pursuit of excellence.
I commend you for your dedication to technology and your commitment to continuous growth. Your participation in robotics, coding, and STEM exploration demonstrates not only intellectual skill, but also vision. You are developing talents that will shape the future — unearthing potential within yourselves that will bless communities, industries, and generations to come.
As you compete, collaborate, and create, take time to enjoy the beautiful grounds of Lone Star Camp. Surrounded by the splendor of God’s creation, may you be reminded that the greatest Designer has embedded gifts, creativity, and purpose within each of you. Sometimes the most valuable discoveries are not only found in innovation, but within ourselves.
Thank you for being part of this exciting journey. Through your efforts, you are helping to advance the technological landscape while reflecting the brilliance of the One who created you.
May God continue to guide and bless you as you unearth new possibilities.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carlton P. Byrd
Southwest Region Conference President
Message from Dr. Lawanna G. Williams-McCoy
Dear Participants, Families, and Mentors,
Welcome to our annual event! We are thrilled to host the UNEARTHED™ season tournament. This weekend, we aren’t just building with bricks; we are unearthing the potential within ourselves and the wonders of the world around us.
As we engage in the engineering journey, we will continue to apply our Core Values—Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun—to guide our work. We hope this weekend provides a space where your creativity meets your faith, and where every big question" leads you closer to the Great Designer.
Let’s get started and unearth something amazing together!
Warmly,
Dr. Lawanna G. Williams-McCoy
Southwest Region Robotics Tournament Director
FIRST® LEGO® League (ages 4-16 / grades PreK-8) introduces STEM to children through fun, hands-on challenges using LEGO® technology. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program, helping students, families, and educators build a better future together.
Through three age-appropriate divisions, FIRST LEGO League inspires youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills and showcase what they learned.
In the UNEARTHED™ challenge, that was released August 5, 2025, FIRST LEGO League teams will uncover the past to discover the future.
