Neon flashing lights, loud music, screaming fans and fierce competition meant the South's BEST Regional Robotics Championship, held Saturday, Dec. 6-7, was back. 

According to Tj Nguyen, the floor boss for this year's competition, BEST Robotics is the third largest robotics competition in the U.S. Unlike other competitions, it is completely free to participating schools.

Nguyen said his role was to oversee the game floor to ensure everything goes smoothly. 

Matthew Fisher, 10th grade competitor from Talladega High School, said he enjoys being on the robotics team. 

"I really enjoy driving and learning about engineering," said Fisher. "I'm always having fun, and I love the thrill."

Fifty-five teams from the Southeast competed in this year's competition. Private, public and home-school divisions are welcome and were present. 

Middle school to high school-age students from Tennessee, Alabama and as far South as Florida came to show their skills in the arena. 

Competitions such as BEST give students the opportunity to find their place and where their skills lie.in the process. 

Charlie Teague, 12th grade competitor from Spain Park High School, said he has learned valuable skills from his four years of competing. 

"It's time consuming, but it is a chance to get away from everything," Teague said. 

Teague is one of the team leaders and is in charge of building the playing field, where the team robot is tested. Teague said he plans to take what he has learned to college and major in computer engineering. 

Each year a theme is set defining a challenge for the team robots. After releasing the theme or challenge for the competition, teams are given six weeks and all of the same materials to create and construct a robot and strategy for the game. 

Nguyen said this year's theme, mining, was developed by former BEST competitors. Students constructed robots to collect different elements and materials which translate to points. 

Justin Poiroux, freshman in computer science, said he liked this year's theme and the competition as a whole.

"BEST Robotics is one of the best things I've been a part of," Poiroux said. "This year's theme has brought out interesting strategies. The competition has been very engaging." 

Auburn students, such as Poiroux, volunteer and enjoy helping those competing.

"I know where they are and what they are feeling," Poiroux said. "It's easy to get stressed, and I hope to help them remember to have fun." 

Some materials students were competing for were coal, lithium, limestone and replacement parts for the mine. Each material stood for a different amount of points. 

Nguyen said the differing point values encouraged more creativity when developing team strategies. 

Khorizon Dunn, senior in interdisciplinary studies, said the students involved were passionate about the competition.   

"The organization is amazing," Dunn said. "It's exciting to come back and watch the students compete. I like being able to pass the torch on." 

Ryan Olsen, senior in electrical engineering, has been competing and volunteering with BEST for eight years. 

"I'm the first to walk through the doors and the last to leave," Olsen said. "It's fantastic to give back, and I wouldn't want to spend my time any other way."

Full Article: http://www.theplainsman.com/article/2015/12/souths-best-robotics-regional-championship-held