S.P.A.M. Robotics Community Engagement Makes Waves at ConnectSphere Treasure Coast Ahead of FIRST Championship
- Apr 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 27
S.P.A.M. Robotics (FRC Team 180) is thrilled to share an exciting update from our recent community engagement efforts! On April 3, 2025, we were the featured non-profit of the month at ConnectSphere Treasure Coast’s “Connect With A Purpose” social networking event at 999 Lounge and Bar in Stuart, FL. This vibrant evening of connection and giving raised $860 through vendor table fees, a wine and cheese basket raffle, and a generous donation from the 50/50 raffle winner who donated their winnings back to S.P.A.M. This support comes at the perfect time as we prepare for the FIRST Championship in Houston, TX, from April 16–19, following a stellar season that includes two regional wins, the FIRST Impact Award, the Autonomous Award, and a #1 state ranking!
Building Connections Through Networking
S.P.A.M. Robotics is dedicated to engaging with our local community through networking events, and 2025 has been a year of meaningful connections. In January 2025, before our FIRST Robotics Competition season began, our Student Board President Zach Dean (South Fork High School) and Vice President Isabella Bodea (Jensen Beach High School) presented at a Stuart Chamber of Commerce meeting. They shared the mission of FIRST, the impact of FRC Team 180, and S.P.A.M.’s role in inspiring STEM leaders in Martin County. At the time, our 2025 robot, Anemone, was still in development, so they demonstrated our 2024 robot, showcasing the engineering and innovation that define our team. Zach and Isabella networked with Chamber members, building relationships that have continued to support our season.
That commitment to networking led us to ConnectSphere Treasure Coast’s “Connect With A Purpose” event on April 3, 2025, from 6–8 PM at 999 Lounge and Bar. Hosted by Tracey Yodice of Guaranteed Garage Doors and Repair and Dawn Cushing of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, this free event brought together local professionals to connect, network, and give back. Attendees enjoyed pool, poker, a hookah bar, light refreshments, raffle prizes, and a 50/50 draw, all while supporting S.P.A.M. Robotics as the non-profit of the month. The event raised $860 through multiple channels: vendor table fees from businesses showcasing their services, a wine and cheese basket raffle, and a heartfelt gesture from the 50/50 raffle winner who donated their winnings back to S.P.A.M. This funding will help fuel our journey to the FIRST Championship, where we’ll compete against 600 top teams worldwide and vie for the global FIRST Impact Award. It will also support our participation in the Indiana Robotics Invitational (IRI) in July 2025. We’re so grateful to ConnectSphere Treasure Coast and the Stuart community for this incredible boost!
A Season of Success Fueled by Community Support
Since Zach and Isabella’s presentation in January, S.P.A.M. Robotics has had an electrifying 2025 season! We clinched two regional wins at the Orlando Regional (March 19–22) and South Florida Regional (April 3–5), where we also earned the FIRST Impact Award, the Autonomous Award, and a #1 world ranking in the 2025 FIRST Robotics Competition Regional Rankings. Zach was named a Dean’s List semi-finalist at the South Florida Regional, recognizing his leadership and dedication to STEM outreach. With our villain-themed robot, Anemony, and our “complete blackout” tradition—featuring black shirts and capes—we’ve dominated the REEFSCAPE game and made Martin County proud. The $860 raised at ConnectSphere Treasure Coast will help us take our villainous spirit to Houston next week!
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Supporters
The ConnectSphere event also gave us a chance to spotlight our amazing sponsors, including Rexel, represented by proud S.P.A.M. parent Kelly Dean. Kelly, whose son Zach is our Student Board President, has been a steadfast supporter of our team, and Rexel’s sponsorship has helped fuel our competitive robots and STEM outreach programs. We’re also grateful for sponsors like Florida Power & Light and REV Robotics, whose contributions make our mission possible.
Support S.P.A.M. Robotics: Become a Sponsor Today!
The generosity of ConnectSphere Treasure Coast underscores the power of community support for S.P.A.M. Robotics. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, we rely on donations and sponsorships to power our FIRST Robotics Competition journey, STEM education initiatives, and youth outreach programs like Robotics camps and FIRST LEGO League tournaments. Want to help shape the future of STEM in Martin County? Join our family of supporters by becoming a sponsor! Whether you’re an organization, business, or individual, your contribution can make a lasting impact. Learn more about our sponsorship levels and how to get involved on our .
STEM Superhero ($10,000): Company name announced at each game, XL logo on robot, topline logo on team shirt & banner.
STEM Visionary ($5,000): Logo on robot, XL logo on team shirt & banner.
STEM Influencer ($2,500): Name on robot, logo on team shirt & banner.
STEM Sponsor ($1,000): Name on team shirt & banner.
Monetary donations, in-kind gifts (like machinery, tools, or materials), and volunteer support are all welcome, every contribution helps us inspire the next generation of problem-solvers, engineers, and leaders. Email us at frcteam180@gmail.com to discuss opportunities!
A Bright Future for S.P.A.M. Robotics
With ConnectSphere Treasure Coast’s support, we’re more motivated than ever to compete at the FIRST Championship and continue our STEM outreach in Martin County. Thank you to ConnectSphere, the Stuart Chamber of Commerce, our sponsors, and our community for believing in S.P.A.M. Robotics, we can’t wait to share more updates from Houston! Want to relive our 2025 season so far? Check out our page to see all our awards and match videos via The Blue Alliance.
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