Geneva 4th Grader Headed To Germany For World Robot Olympiad Final

GENEVA, IL — In Geneva, Oct. 18, 2022, will be remembered as "Sawyer Rinn Day."

Mayor Kevin Burns made the declaration at Monday night's City Council meeting to honor the 10-year-old Geneva boy who is headed to Dortmund, Germany in November to represent the United States at the World Robot Olympiad International Final.

The young engineer and his family were even upgraded to fly first class to Europe, Burns said at the meeting.

Sawyer Rinn, a fourth grader at Western Avenue Elementary School, qualified for the international championship after taking first place at WRO National Championship and International Friendly held in Ontario, California in August. Rinn competed in the Elementary RoboMission category and defeated 21 teams in his age group by designing, constructing and programming an autonomous robot that can solve specific challenges.

Rinn spent more than 500 hours building and programming his robot, according to a news release.

"I like robotics because I like designing, building and then programming robots and seeing them come to life," Rinn said at Monday's meeting.

US Engineering League – Midwest Founder William Wong, who mentors and coaches Rinn, said the student "earned his place in the international final through hard work and determination."

"Sawyer has not only the skill to achieve his goals, but he has a commitment that’s unique for his young age," Wong said in a statement. "I’ve worked with Sawyer for the past 6 months, and while I have noted his talent and potential, I’ve also witnessed his drive, continually pushing himself further."

About 75,000 students will represent 85 countries at the global competition, taking place Nov. 17-19.

In addition to Rinn, three other US Engineering League – Midwest members took first place at the International Friendly competition. Luke He, 11, of Frankfort, beat 40 other participants to win first place in the SumoBot competition, while Barrington residents Humza Khan, 10, and Jed Setyo, 9, took first place in the WRO International On-the-Spot Challenge.