With a few new additions to the team, 2006 seemed to be headed in the direction of the previous year. With the introduction of the new game, Aim High, the students scrambled to develop a concept as to launch medium-size balls into a raised hoop. With more organization than the previous year, the team divided up the task into several groups, each working on a separate piece. However, problems arose and miscommunication quickly began to force the team to falter in their progress. When attempting to construct their first idea, the team encountered a weight problem, being incomplete and 20 lbs over the limit. The second idea was dysfunctional, for the team did not have enough of a certain motor to construct the mechanism. By the third try, the team had a working design, but they were at an end for coming up with a more effective method. With a rotating disc shooter, and a small remaining amount of workable weight, they tried and tried again to increase the ball capacity that fed into the dual discs. In a last-ditch effort, the team welded together a rickety hopper atop the sturdy beast. With hopes and tension high, Spyder members were praying that their marginally under-limit, fragile robot would survive travel to the competition.
            This year, the team had two stops: Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. After celebrating the robot's safe arrival in LA, the team prepped-up for their first match of the season. Early on, win after win rolled in, but small technical errors plagued the performance of both the shooter and the hopper. And slowly, team Spyder's ranking began to slip. When time came for the regional finals, the group sat in the stands, their robot packed and loaded on the truck for Las Vegas. When the awards were handed out, Spyder eagerly awaited to hear it's name, but left for home, disappointed, and lacking morale. Realizing that the team was in the dumps, Mr. Dohm brought in a new face, brimming with energy, to bring the team back to the game. Instantly, a young and high-roller junior from Poway High, Tony Shafer was promoted to team president. With a positive, playful attitude, and a new look on the competition, the team quickly regained it's energy, inspiring another new recruit: Poway senior, Alex DiMarzo. Bringing knowledge of how to rally the people, DiMarzo took the lead for a new department; Publicity.
            When the ream rolled into Vegas, lights flashed, children cheered, and the music pumped with more beats per minute than previously imaginable. As Tony kept the pit crew and drivers focused, DiMarzo hung around in the crowds, starting cheers, several large Waves, and even three double-digit-member conga lines. Technical issues continue to surmount, and the pressure built higher and higher; All the while, the audience was cheering loud enough to drown out even the largest of stereo systems. When it came to finals, however, the team started in one of the lowest seedings possible. Fighting against the odds, Spyder pushed it's way to the quarter-finals, where it lost at the last second by a few points. The team's morale, however, could not have been any higher. Coming from not placing at all in the previous regional, to seeding 5 only a few days later, was the biggest thing that had ever happened to them. At the end of the day, Stumpy 2.0 was crated and packed for it's trip home, and the team spent the night celebrating. Returning home with more than just an improvement, the Underwriter's Laboratory Safety Award rode alongside.
            6With an experience to take to heart, the team made a commitment, that next year, they would go the whole way, and participate in Atlanta. But, this was also a time of goodbyes. With the graduation of several seniors, the team had a few hard farewells, and some empty shoes to fill. Scott Briscoe, a lead engineer and designer behind the '05 and '06 bots went off to work in a metalwork shop. Michelle Blinco, who enjoyed her fourth year as a student, and vowed to return as a mentor next year. Alex DiMarzo, despite being on the team for only a short time, went on to start his own public relations company. As they departed, Spyder vowed that they would not have a repeat of that year. Lacking the experience of their recent graduates, the team sought parental and professional advice. In the summer of '06, the Team Spyder Parental Advisory Committee was founded, with the sole purpose of guiding the team along the correct path. With their eyes on the prize, Team Spyder eagerly awaited Kickoff '07, and any challenges that they might face.