Skip to content
NOVA PYRA

Our Story

Who we are

FIRST Tech Challenge Team 25619, founded 2024 in Mandeville, Louisiana.

The Nova Pyra team at the FIRST World Championship in Houston

Origins · New fire

The name "Nova Pyra," meaning "New Fire," reflects the team's origin story — a revival of robotics at Mandeville Junior High, inspired by the myth of Prometheus, who granted fire to humanity. Now in our 2nd season, we are the sister team of FRC S.S. Prometheus.

FIRST World Championship · Houston, Texas

What drives us

Mission

Nova Pyra is committed to advancing the boundaries of innovation in robotics, fostering creativity, teamwork, and technical excellence. Together, we strive to ignite a passion for engineering and technology.

What we stand for

Values

  • Engineer First

    We prototype before we commit. Every design decision is tested, not assumed.

  • Team Over Self

    The best idea wins, regardless of who has it. Credit is shared; blame is not.

  • Document Everything

    If it isn't written down, it didn't happen. Our notebook is our proof of process.

  • Give Back

    From outreach events we grow new members every year, sharing all aspects of robotics and letting everyone focus on their interests.

  • Always Iterate

    V1 is never the answer. We build, break, learn, and build better.

How we organise

Subteams

  • Build Team

    Goal

    Manage the design and physical construction of the robot.

    Challenge

    Age restrictions require mentor supervision for all power tool usage to ensure safety.

  • CAD Team

    Goal

    Manage the 3D design of the robot using CAD software (Onshape).

    Challenge

    Pre-season CAD training closes the experience gap before the season begins.

  • Code Team

    Goal

    Manage robot code development, learning Java and FTC SDK standards.

    Challenge

    Pre-season coding sessions let ideas take shape faster when the season starts.

  • Documentation Team

    Goal

    Maintain the Engineering Portfolio and judging materials.

    Challenge

    Financial and performance data flows through booster members for easy communication.

  • Media Team

    Goal

    Manage the team's outreach and marketing design.

    Challenge

    All outreach is closely supervised through mentors due to social media age restrictions.

  • Captain

    Goal

    Communicate and organize team plans from members to leaders.

    Challenge

    Captain works with coaches to ensure multiple clear channels of communication.

Students

The team · 6 members

  • Sam V.

    Sam V.

    CAD Lead

  • Leighton S.

    Leighton S.

    Pit Lead & Build

  • Frank G.

    Frank G.

    Build Member

  • Taylor C.

    Taylor C.

    CAD & Build Member

  • Scarlett G.

    Scarlett G.

    Website & Media Member

  • Lucia A.

    Lucia A.

    Media & Documentation Member

Mentors & Boosters

Behind the team · 8

  • Mr. Jon H.

    Mr. Jon H.

    Lead Mentor & Teacher Sponsor

  • Ms. Amy B.

    Ms. Amy B.

    Lead Mentor & Teacher Sponsor

  • Mr. Ryan H.

    Mr. Ryan H.

    Boosters President & Mentor

  • Mr. Brad V.

    Mr. Brad V.

    Mentor

  • Mr. Matt G.

    Mr. Matt G.

    Mentor

  • Mrs. Laura M.

    Mrs. Laura M.

    Mentor

  • Ms. Sara V.

    Ms. Sara V.

    Boosters Secretary

  • Mr. Mike S.

    Mr. Mike S.

    Mentor

Past members

Alumni

Students who moved on. They built the robots that came before this one.

  • Hailey V.

    Hailey V.

    Team Captain

  • Wyatt H.

    Wyatt H.

    Build Lead

  • Victoria L.

    Victoria L.

    Documentation Lead

  • Taylor G.

    Taylor G.

    Media Lead

  • Abilyn K.

    Abilyn K.

    Code & Media Member

  • Peter D.

    Peter D.

    Code Lead

FIRST & Industry

Partners

  • Sister Team

    FRC 2992 — S.S. Prometheus

    Our sister FRC team shares their shop with us, teaching complex machinery operation and helping navigate CAD & code.

  • FTC Partner

    FTC 6448 — Jesuit Blue Jays

    Collaborated on driver practice before State, discussing engineering and judging strategies together.

  • Sponsor

    DDG

    Key sponsor providing support, resources, and mentorship through mentor Brad Villemeur. Ongoing collaboration on CAD and engineering as a whole.

  • Industry

    Intralox

    Hosted a facility visit where the team learned real-world engineering processes and explored STEM career opportunities.

  • Industry

    Turner Industries

    Employer of mentor Laura Meche, who brings technical writing expertise to guide our Engineering Portfolio and presentations.

  • Industry

    USDA

    Employer of mentor Matthew Gilbert, who applies research science skills to teach hands-on building and engineering fundamentals.