Lexington One Educational Foundation Award 2025-2026 Michelin VEX Robotics Grants
MEDIA CONTACT
Julie Anderson Washburn, Lexington One Educational Foundation Executive Director
Phone: 803-821-1008
NEWS RELEASE-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2025: The Lexington County School District One Educational Foundation recently awarded the 2025-26 Michelin VEX Robotics Grant Awards. Thanks to the generosity of Michelin North America and the Lexington, South Carolina leadership team, this is the eighth year of this Educational Foundation grant award.
This year’s grants total $10,000, which is an outstanding financial investment by the Michelin US5 leaders. The support is given to strengthen STEM learning and develop the career skills of Lexington District One students. More specifically, these Educational Foundation grants support the middle and high school VEX robotics teams in Lexington District One and the participating students as they design and build robots to compete in local and state VEX competitions. Each year these students involved in robotics teams cultivate skills in design, building, engineering, coding, computational thinking, range of motion, and simple machinery, as well as collaboration, teamwork, marketing, and public speaking – all of which are desirable career skills to future employers.
The following ten VEX robotics school teams in Lexington District One were recognized this school year as Michelin VEX Robotics Grant winners by the Lexington One Educational Foundation:
Beechwood Middle School Coaches Danielle Wyatt and Gina Rawl; Principal Leah Saratopolous
Carolina Springs Middle School Coaches Kristen Young and Ashleigh Mann; Principal Patrice Green
Gilbert Middle School Coach Aquia Evans; Principal Dr. Stephanie Burgess
Lakeside Middle School Coach Cezar Gherasim; Principal Dr. Megan Carrero
Lexington Technology Center Coaches Melissa Boehler and Daniel Cummins; Director Bryce Myers
Pelion Middle School Coaches John Leneschmidt and Carman Mangus; Principal Jessica Keisler
Pleasant Hill Middle School Coaches Darren Sigmon and Garrick Ball; Principal Julie Painter
River Bluff High School Coach Horst Daichendt; Principal Jacob Smith
White Knoll High School Coach Anibal Perez; Principal Nicholas Pearson
White Knoll Middle School Coaches Stacey Summerall and Maritza Castellanos; Principal Donald Hardie
The Lexington One Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors and staff are extremely grateful for corporate partners like Michelin North America that choose to invest in local students and their future careers through their charitable donations to the foundation.
About Lexington County School District One Educational Foundation
Established 30 years ago as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Lexington One Educational Foundation is a source of growth and support for Lexington County School District One. Our mission is to support the district’s educational programs and enrich the quality of life in the Lexington community by raising and managing funds. Annually, the Foundation’s board, staff and volunteers work to build partnerships with individuals and corporations in order to benefit Lexington District One students, teachers, and schools. We plant seeds in our district that bloom into amazing educational opportunities for our students! To learn more about our mission and how to give, visit: www.Lex1EdFound.org.
