When it comes to paying for college, every penny counts.

That’s why parents of nine Wheeling Park High School students should be relieved their financial burden lessened just a little over the weekend, as their children earned $2,000 scholarships to attend West Virginia University’s Statler College of Engineering for their performance at the VEX Robotics Competition.

The event, held at WVU in Morgantown, showcased teams from around West Virginia. The students were challenged to design, build, program and drive their robots during a series of tests. In the end, two teams from Wheeling Park — Team Iron Patriots Mk. 1 and Team Iron Patriots Mk. 4 — were named tournament champions and will proceed to the next stage, with the goal to compete in Dallas at the VEX Robotics World Championships.

Ohio County’s high school teams were not the only winners this past weekend, as three local middle schools also captured top honors. Bridge Street Middle School’s Team Steel Devils III and Team Steel Devils VI were named tournament champions, while Team Robo-Raiders from Triadelphia Middle School won the design award.

Based on their performances, eight local middle school students are now eligible to attend one of the engineering challenge camps at WVU this summer for free.

Ohio County Schools’ Robotics program has grown quickly since its inception. Last year, the district sent 17 kids to the VEX Robotics World Championships in the program’s first full year.

“It is so amazing to just watch them throughout the year take a problem and try to solve it,” said JoJo Shay, the district’s innovation coordinator. “Over the year they grow in the game, and you see their skills developing. It’s incredible to watch their thought processes.”

A hearty congratulations is in order for all involved — the students, their coaches and their parents. What an outstanding accomplishment.