Marshall County robotics teams already took a journey that led them to success at the West Virginia state championships, and now they have a long, expensive road to the world championships in Dallas.

John Marshall High School has one team, “George Drinks Water,” going to the VEX Robotics World Championships starting May 6 in Dallas. The team has three members.

In addition, there are three middle school teams who will be joining them. The “Return of Self Destruct” from Moundsville Middle School, and “Lil’ George” and “Killer Frequency,” both from Sherrard Middle School, have a combined 13 members between.

That means 16 students, their coaches, parents and chaperones will be going to Texas in May, according to Bob Wilson, CTE director for Marshall County Schools.

“I will be going, male and female chaperones going … there will be seven adults, as well.”

To start, the cost for registration at the tournament is $1,800 per team. Travel registration will be through the REC Foundation, but there will also be the cost of hotel and food accommodations.

“We expect it to cost $15,000 to $20,000 at the most,” Wilson said.

HIgh school students compete on the first three days of the tournament, while middle schools go into the arena on the following three days.

The high school and middle school teams will not be there at the same time, Wilson noted.

Marshall County Schools has sent robotics teams to the VEX Robotics World Championships each of the last two years, and some fundraising has been needed.

Wilson said the teams have done the “dine to donate” fundraiser, and sold DeFelice pizza cards. Letters also have gone out to local businesses.

He plans to meet with the robotics coaches on Monday to determine how fundraising will be conducted.

“We get a lot of support from the county through its levy, and from the Project Lead The Way Fund,” Wilson said.