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Nuts, bolts and national goals for a DeSoto robotics team that engineered a path to Washington

By , Daily Memphian Published: February 08, 2026 4:00 AM CT

The Olive Branch-based robotics team DeSoto Technix, composed of homeschool students, will represent Mississippi at the inaugural Governor’s Cup competition.

Hosted by the U.S. Department of Education, the event invites one team from each state to showcase their skills in the nation’s capital this month. 

While the invitation is an honor, the team is no stranger to high-stakes competition.

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Brandon LaGrone II

Brandon LaGrone II

Brandon LaGrone Jr. is a Bluff City native who has earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from LSU’s Manship School. He’s written for publications including The (Baton Rouge) Advocate and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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