Project Promise Introduces RoboMission 2026

M.A. Dworkin

St. Croix - Project Promise recently hosted RoboMission 2026, a thrilling robotics competition that brought together students from four St. Croix elementary schools - Juanita Gardine, Lew Muckle, Ricardo Richards, and Eulalie Rivera - to compete for the top spot in the robotics event. This year’s event took place at the Mon Bijou Community Center. 

In January 2026, Project Promise proudly supported five elementary schools by training teachers through their WRO Train the Trainer Initiative, and provided necessary kits and materials for their Robotics Clubs, ensuring students and coaches were well-prepared for RoboMission 2026.

“We are proud to host this inaugural event! RoboMission 2026 satisfied one of our goals, bringing a collaborative robotics competition to the Virgin Islands,” said Resa O’Reilly Shearn, Executive Director & Founder of Project Promise. “In 2023, Project Promise participated in its first Robotics Competition in Singapore. It was amazing! And it inspired me to want to bring such an event to St. Croix. RoboMission 2026 has fulfilled that vision and was an event filled with friendly competition and groundbreaking robotics. And the teams delivered!”

“RoboMission 2026 was fantastic! It truly made our dream into a reality, and it was great being back in my element,” said Francisco Reyes, Project Promise Robotics Trainer & Coach.

A big round of applause and  Congratulations goes out to Ricardo Richards Elementary School on winning the friendly competition! Second Place went to Lew Muckle Elementary School; Third Place went to Juanita Gardine PreK-8 School; and Eulalie R. Rivera PreK-8 School took the Fourth Place spot! 

And a big Shout Out to all the participating teams for bringing their creativity, teamwork, and innovation to the competition. Project Promise was thrilled to support these talented students as they demonstrated their skills, creativity, and teamwork in pursuit of excellence. 

Project Promise is also extremely grateful to our wonderful sponsors: MCN Build, Bank of St. Croix, Rotary Club of St. Croix Mid-Isle, and the Home Depot, for supporting our training and event. 

“Robo Mission 2026 was amazing! It embodied the spirit of innovation and camaraderie,” said Ms. O’Reilly Shearn. “We are looking forward to hosting future competitions in 2027.”  

Project Promise is a 501 (c)(3) non- profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youth on St. Croix by providing empowerment initiatives, cultural programs, and family services. To learn more about Project Promise, please visit their website at: www.projectpromisevi.com