LEGO legends compete in Atlanta
Published 9:22 am Friday, February 13, 2026
Two robotics teams from Bainbridge Middle School headed to Atlanta Friday, where they faced off in the FIRST LEGO League state competition at Georgia Tech.
The statewide battle of the bricks followed regional qualifiers in December, where Bainbridge’s Sand Stormers and Techno Treasures competed with students from across Southwest Georgia.
“You’re going to represent us; there’s no doubt you’re going to represent us well,” Superintendent Dr. Boyd English told the students during a clap-out on Friday.
No doubt, indeed. Amy Zock, director of instructional and innovative technology at Decatur County Schools, said the Sand Stormers and Techno Treasurers finished in the top third of robot scores of the entire competition, earning an elite reputation within the top 3% of teams in Georgia. They’re also the first Bainbridge robotics teams to make it to a state competition, she said, paving the way for their peers.
“We are proud of their hard work, persistence, and gracious professionalism and look forward to seeing them as they continue their journey of excellence,” Zock said of the students.
BMS teacher and team coach Liz Hill said it’s a “big deal” any time a team makes it to state, whether for athletics or academics. The members of the Sand Stormers and Techno Treasures are extra special to her. Out of 19 students, there are only five whom Hill hasn’t taught since at least kindergarten.
Hill also explained that the competition isn’t just about creating the coolest robot or writing the best computer code. Students are judged on soft skills — and core values — like teamwork, fun, and innovation.
“We really focus on gracious professionalism, teaching them how, if you don’t agree with something, that’s totally okay, but here’s the right way to disagree,” she said.
The competition itself can lead to valuable life lessons. Hill said that a practice mission went “completely sideways” on Thursday, leading the students to rebuild a part of their robot and redo their code. They weren’t sure if it would work, but come Friday morning, the robot was back in action.
“When life gets you down, when something doesn’t go your way, it’s the way you spend your energy,” Hill said. “Are you going to spend your energy fixing it, or are you going to spend your energy pouting about it?
