Team BVI reaches top 30 at First
Five young Virgin Islanders competing with their robot Artemis at the FIRST Global Challenge in Panama City have pushed Team BVI into the top 30, currently ranked 30th out of 181 teams, local reports say. Jahphix Television and Virgin Islands News Online confirm the team returns to the field today in Ranking Match 307 at 10:50 a.m. AST as supporters back home celebrate the Territory’s best showing to date.
Five young Virgin Islanders are carrying the Territory’s flag at the 2025 FIRST Global Challenge in Panama City, competing with their robot Artemis from October 29 to November 1, Government of the Virgin Islands materials say. New reporting from Jahphix Television (JTV) and Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) shows Team BVI has climbed into the top 30 of the international field as the competition enters its final day.
This year’s squad — Eleazar Brooks, Keyara Smith, Jayron Gibson, Judiah Case and Denae Scatliffe-Chalwell — marks the Territory’s third consecutive appearance after debuts in Singapore (2023) and Greece (2024), the Government noted in its pre-departure release. JTV reported the team is currently ranked 30th out of 181 teams, a milestone the outlet called the team’s best performance to date.
The Ministry of Education and the Government Information Service recorded Team BVI’s placements at 143rd out of 191 teams in Singapore (2023) and 111th out of 180 in Greece (2024). This year’s jump into the top 30 cements that progress and positions the students among the fastest-rising teams in the region, according to local coverage by JTV and VINO.
JTV reported the students returned to the field this morning for Ranking Match 307 at 10:50 a.m. The outlet also relayed a social media message from the team saying the milestone “reflects the teamwork, determination, and passion our students have poured into every match so far,” and that they are proud to represent the Virgin Islands in Panama.
Ahead of departure the Government published expanded remarks from Hon. Sharie B. de Castro, Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, praising the students’ “dedication, innovation, and unwavering pursuit of excellence” and stressing that robotics fosters critical thinking and problem‑solving.
VINO separately reported attempts to reach the Minister for comment about current results were unsuccessful. Locally, robotics has been woven into the national S.T.E.A.M. pathway. The Ministry of Education says students are introduced to robotics and chess through S.T.E.A.M. Innovations in Grade 7 with follow-ups in Grades 8 and 9 and dedicated Robotics and Coding coursework in Grades 10 and 11 — designed to develop technical skill alongside creativity and problem‑solving.
Public‑private partnerships have supported the programme’s growth. Organisations such as Exness and Unite BVI have helped classroom delivery and opportunities, while corporate sponsors Harneys and NAGICO each contributed $5,000 toward travel and competition expenses for the Panama trip, the Government confirmed.
Mentors have praised the students’ engagement: Careen Cuffy told JTV the students “show up excited every day,” and mentor Andre Roberts said he has seen students who struggle academically thrive in robotics (JTV; Government of the Virgin Islands). As Team BVI competes under this year’s Eco‑Equilibrium theme, organisers and officials say the hands‑on experience — supported by government backing, private sponsorship and committed mentors — exposes students to global peers and real‑world environmental challenges, shaping career paths and strengthening the Territory’s future workforce.
Supporters back home continue to celebrate the team’s breakthrough and will be watching for the final results as the competition concludes today.
Primary source: BVI Government