The second annual Calhoun County Robotics Tournament was held Friday, April 10, 2026, with 29 teams and more than 120 aspiring engineers from schools across the county who were able to compete free of charge.

The event was held at the CREATE Technology and Innovation Center located at 1 Cliff Garrett Drive with sponsorship by the city of Oxford.

Mayor Alton Craft offered a welcome during the opening ceremonies.

“I want to thank everyone for coming and participating in this competition,” Craft said. “I especially appreciate our schools, the teachers, and the city staff who work so hard to put this together.”

Craft also recognized Oxford fleet supervisor Bill Lawley, who, along with Fire Chief Ben Stewart, originated the idea to host and provide an opportunity for students to participate in the robotics program.

There were two levels of competition: the V5RC Division for Grades 7-12 and the IQ Division for Grades 5-8.

The high school-level competition was composed of teams competing for top scores in the VEX V5 game Push Back by pushing blocks into goal areas, controlling goal zones, and parking in their alliance zones. The elementary and middle school students competed in the VEX IQ game Mix and Match, with two robots competing as an alliance.

A coalition of teams from Donoho School and White Plains Middle School were runners-up in the IQ Division, while a coalition of teams from Alexandria Middle School claimed the winner’s trophy.

Teams from CREATE and Alexandria High School formed coalitions that brought both championship and runner-up honors to both schools.

Calhoun County Commissioner Danny Shears said the event was valuable for county students in more ways than one.

‘We have seen kids here who have just met work together and take home more than trophies,” Shears said. “They have walked away with new friends and the knowledge that the opportunity is being provided right here to turn these skills into good-paying careers here in Calhoun County.”

“This is awesome,” said state Sen. Keith Kelley. “You’re seeing kids come in here with an open mind, with the sky being the limit, and they understand that. I think the innovation they are doing at such a young age is going to provide them with a bright future in whatever they want to do.”

Replays of the competition are available on the Oxford High School Jacket Media YouTube channel.