SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The all-girls St. Francis Geneseas Robotics Team won first place at the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) World Championship held in Denver, Colorado in the month of June. The team outperformed high school groups from across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East to claim the top prize, breaking barriers for women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) along the way.

The St. Francis team's achievement comes at a time when deep sea exploration is at the forefront of public interest, following the recent loss of the Titan submersible. Their win highlights the importance of fostering the next generation of women scientists and engineers to continue advancing ocean technologies.

“These young women are trailblazers,” said St. Francis President and CEO Dr. Fadia Desmond. “Winning at this level requires extraordinary talent, perseverance in the face of obstacles, and the ability to work together as a team. This team embodies all of those attributes and more. They are an inspiration not just to other students, but to all of us."

The St. Francis team has built an international network of friends and connections through participating in the MATE ROV competition over the years. Although the team will miss its senior members as they head off to become scientists and engineers, their legacy of accomplishment and inspiration will open doors for future generations of women.

“We have heard from so many other teams and coaches that our students inspire their girls to dream big in STEM fields,” said Geneseas team leader and recent St. Francis graduate, Morgan Jones ‘23. “Our seniors are heading to college to become leaders in science and technology to continue to inspire others. The impact of this team will be felt for years to come.”

The MATE ROV competition challenges students to design and build underwater robots to complete tasks that simulate real-world problems. The St. Francis team has competed at the MATE ROV competition for four years, achieving a first-place finish at the world championship for the first time this season against all odds. Their win is a victory for women in STEM and a testament to the power of the opportunities in an all-girls education environment. For more information, contact St. Francis robotics coach Marcus Grindstaff at [email protected].

St. Francis Catholic High School in East Sacramento has been educating young women since its founding in 1940. Academically rigorous, with full accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and a member of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools, St. Francis draws students from more than 100 area schools across five primary counties in the greater Sacramento region. Visit: www.stfrancishs.org for more information.