Thursday, October 1, 2026
Hewlett High School became the epicenter of innovation and competition when it hosted the Long Island Robotics Championships last weekend, welcoming 24 top student teams from across the region for a high-energy showcase of science, technology and teamwork.
The event highlighted not only the growing popularity of FIRST — For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology —robotics programs, but also the strength of Hewlett High’s teams, Bionica, Innovo and RoboBoogie, which had standout performances against some of Long Island’s top competitors.
“I remember the excitement Mr. Birkenstock had when he told the executive board that we were hosting this,” Robotics Club President Benjamin Zelikoff said, referring to Hewlett teacher Daniel Duffey-Birkenstock, the club’s adviser. “This is the first time we’ve ever hosted regionals, and we prepared really hard and were looking forward to this for a long time.”
Zelikoff, a senior and member of RoboBoogie, said his team met every day after school and over the President’s Day break to test-run their robot and fix anything that needed fixing.
“It’s been really nice to see how all our teams are collaborating, in terms of outreach and engineering,” he said. “Robotics has been a huge contributing factor to my time in high school.”
Leading the way was Team Innovo, which captured the competition’s highest honor, the Inspire Award, for excellence in engineering, design, outreach and overall team performance.
With the victory, Innovo earned a coveted spot at the FIRST Championship, set for April 29 to May 2 in Houston. The international competition will bring together elite robotics teams from around the world in what is considered the pinnacle of youth STEM achievement.
RoboBoogie gave an impressive performance as well, also earning the Inspire Award. Bionica, Hewlett High’s all-female team, was recognized with the Sustain Award, honoring the team’s consistency, resilience and long-term commitment to innovation and collaboration.
“It means the world for us to host this,” Zelikoff said. “We’re hoping for all our teams to do well, and it means so much to see everyone compete on our home turf.”
Beyond team accolades, Hewlett’s robotics program was also honored when Birkenstock, its adviser, was presented with the Compass Award, which recognizes mentors who provide outstanding guidance and leadership — reflecting Birkenstock’s impact on students’ growth and team success.
“I started advising robotics in December of 2024,” Birkenstock said, “and I never dreamed of the creativity and problem-solving or the gracious professionalism that I have experienced firsthand.”
No matter how a team places, he said, its members leave the competition full of lessons and new experiences.
“Today would not have been feasible without the support of the Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association, Hewlett-Woodmere Public School Endowment Fund and our generous sponsors,” he added. “Thank you to the home teams RoboBoogie, Innovo, Bionica and Nexus. I am so proud of you, and a special thank-you to our elected board.”
Other sponsors of the event included Sara Abizker, Ay! Caramba!, Bagel Boss of Hewlett, Chateau Coffee Shop, Friendlier Pizza, Hart & Soul Dance and Performing Arts, Nicole Eliopoulos, NetCost Market, the Pizza Shop, Walls Bakery and Woodro Kosher Deli.
Throughout the competition, Hewlett students demonstrated not only technical expertise, but also the core values of FIRST — collaboration, problem-solving and gracious professionalism. From designing and programming complex robots to competing in fast-paced matches, students applied real-world engineering skills in a dynamic, team-driven environment.
Hosting the championship added another layer of significance for Hewlett, as the school welcomed teams and families from across Long Island, turning the campus into a hub of creative activity.
“The amount of people organizing this is tremendous,” Al Bauer, Hewlett High’s interim principal, said. “… It really is a community event.”
“We have four teams that are super competitive, and it’s something the kids really love,” Bauer added. “This gives them something to do and bond with other communities that have the same kind of interest.”
The strong showing by the Hewlett teams underscores the district’s continued investment in STEM education, offering students opportunities to explore engineering, coding and design while building critical skills for future careers.
“They’re an amazing group of kids that found what they like to do,” Bauer said. “All of them offer something to the school, and we’re super proud of them.”
As Innovo prepares to represent Hewlett and Long Island on the international stage in Houston, it is evidence of a robotics program that continues to grow in both achievement and impact.
‘This type of event highlights that we are alive in our extracurricular activities and support it any way we can,” Bauer said. “It was a full team effort to get this off the ground, and it shows what Hewlett’s all about.”
