The Michigan State Champion Wayland High School Robotics squad #6090 is seeking help to make a trip they earned to Houston for the world championships later this month.

The Wayland Board of Education Monday night agreed to allow $5,000 to be taken from the district’s Gun Lake Casino funds for a contribution to pay for the group’s anticipated expenses for flight, accommodations and meals.

Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Patricia Velie estimated that the Robotics team will need a total of $25,000 to participate in the championships, a trip they earned last Saturday by emerging as state champions in the Michigan contest at Saginaw Valley State University.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Theresa Fulk said she’s confident that a combination of $5,000 from the local school district, $5,000 from the sponsor, $5,000 from the Wayland Education Foundation and support from a GoFundMe campaign will get them over the top.

Board of Education Trustee Becky Hohnke said, “This is like history in the making, noting the local team never before had won the state title. “Anything we can do to support them would be great.”

Fulk pointed out that the Wildcat Robotics team bested opponent who were funded heavily by large corporations such as Ford and Chrysler.

The local group qualified for the state competition April 1 by qualifying the regionals at Grand Valley State University.