ABOUT OUR TEAM

​FTC Team 8404 Quixilver currently has 12 members, ranging from 8th to 12th grade: 4 attending Bret Harte Middle School and 8 attending Leland High School. Members meet at Leland and are mentored by Mr. Kevin Tibbs and Mrs. Helen Arrington. FTC 8404 is the sister team of FRC Team 604 Quixilver, also based at Leland. Each year, Team 8404 recruits students from both Leland and Bret Harte. All members strive to maintain Gracious Professionalism, and are vital to the overall success of the team. ​​
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12TH GRADERS
​MADS CARROLL (Co-Captain) they/them
​Email: madscarroll@quixilver8404.org​​
As a senior and co-captain, Mads is in their fifth and final year on team Quixilver. Last year, they worked on building the robot, organizing outreach projects, and served as both drive team coach and treasurer. Outside of robotics, you can find Mads at Leland High School's French Club and Gender-Sexuality Alliance meetings, reading webcomics, and listening to music. Their hobbies include writing poetry and short stories. After graduating, they plan to study civil engineering in college, where they will fondly remember late nights with Quixilver, and unfondly remember 8:00 A.M. classes.
Fun fact: Mads will take any excuse to create a spreadsheet; the sheet they use to track college applications recently reached 100 columns.
RUHAN GIANCHANDANI (Co-Programming Lead)
Email: ruhangianchandani@quixilver8404.org
Ruhan is a senior at Leland High school, and a programming co-lead for the team. He started his robotics journey with FLL in middle school and is looking forward to tackling this year's challenge, going to competitions, and having fun with his team. He is passionate about programming and continues to expand his knowledge in Java, Python, AI, and machine learning. Ruhan practices martial arts and is a 3rd-degree blackbelt in Wushu. He likes math and tutors the subject at the local library. He plays video games such as Minecraft and Valorant and watches movies with his family in his free time.
Fun fact: Ruhan has experienced 24 hours of sunlight.
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11TH GRADERS

AIDAN PAK (Co-Programming Lead)
Email: aidanpak@quixilver8404.org
Aidan is a junior at Leland High School and a programming co-lead. This is his third year of higher-level robotics. At a young age, he was exposed to LEGO robotics and now has a passion for programming and mechanics. He learned Python as a middle schooler and has been refining his Java skills since freshman year. Outside of robotics, Aidan plays the trombone and trumpet and plays piano for pleasure. He also enjoys playing many different sports for fun such as soccer, baseball, tennis, swimming, football, and foosball. In his free time, he enjoys beating his dad at foosball and playing random games with friends.
Fun fact: Aidan loves lobsters.
AMELIA KHOR (Co-Captain, Outreach Lead) she/her
Email: ameliakhor@quixilver8404.org
Amelia is one of the co-captains of FTC 8404, and a junior at Leland High School. This is her fourth year with Quixilver, and her fifth year with FIRST as a whole. After competing on an FLL team, she became interested in robotics and working with mechanical parts. This year on the team, Amelia wants to contribute more to the mechanical project process and revise the engineering portfolio to better cover the design and iteration process. Outside of robotics, Amelia is part of the Leland Speech and Debate team, and the Head of Art Committee there. Outside of school, she enjoys painting with watercolors, cooking, volunteering, and puzzling. She’s super excited for the season!
​Fun fact: Amelia’s favorite fruit is mangosteen! A trick for knowing how many segments are in a mangosteen is to look at the flower stamp on the bottom.

DANIEL XU (Mechanical Lead)
Email: danielxu@quixilver8404.org
Daniel Is currently a junior at Leland high school, and this will be his 4th year in FTC team 8404. Daniel has always had a passion for designing and building different contraptions, many of which have scared his sister. He started his robotics journey in FLL and tried other robotics challenges such as VEX. Eventually, he joined 8404 to further pursue his interest in mechanical design and engineering, as well as to meet new people with similar interests. Daniel has been practicing Kung Fu since he was six years old and also runs for his school track and field team. In his free time, Daniel enjoys playing Valorant and outdoor activities like mountain biking.
​Fun fact: Daniel's favorite food is Shin Black Ramen.
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10TH GRADERS
BRYANT VO 
Email: bryantvo@quixilver8404.org
Bryant is a sophomore attending Leland Highschol and is ready for his second year on the team. As a child, he had a passion for tinkering, starting with LEGOs. As time went on, he was exposed to LEGO robotics, which opened the doors for robotics. Throughout the years, he tinkers with robot kits, and continues to support the mechanical section of the team. Outside of robotics, he attends martial art classes which involve Taekwondo and Kendo, participates in Boy Scouts, and is currently promoting his enrichment program. He enjoying playing almost every sport, taking care of his two bunnies, and wishing for more free time outside of homework. 
Fun fact: Bryant really likes the color green.

ROHI PATIL 
Email: ​rohipatil@quixilver8404.org
Rohi is a sophomore currently attending Leland High school and is excited for her second year with Quixilver 8404! She has had a lot of fun with LEGO robotics and now really enjoys FTC. Mechanical work has always really fascinated Rohi, and in general, “working with her hands” makes her happy. Other than robotics, Rohi plays the piano—where she is currently working on her diploma—and participates in sports, such as badminton. Rohi is an avid lover of nature and all the animals in it. At the moment she does not have any pets but hopes to get one someday. You will often find her in her garage just having fun with random materials.
Fun fact: Rohi has a twin sister.
​SHANNON RUAN
Email: ​shannonruan@quixilver8404.org
Shannon is a sophomore at Leland High School, and this is his exciting second year with team Quixilver 8404. He enjoys collecting LEGO sets, building LEGO sets, and periodically cleaning LEGO sets. He is also a tennis player on the school team who has enjoyed playing tennis his entire life. This year he wants to explore new algorithms to add on the robot, learn C++, and understand legacy code. Outside of school, he also participates in math competitions, and plays tennis with his family.
Fun fact: Ten years ago, Shannon was only 5 years old.

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8TH GRADERS
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ANA FLACAU
Email: ​anaflacau@quixilver8404.org
Ana is an 8th grader at Bret Harte Middle school and can not wait to start her first year with FTC 8404. Ana enjoyed competing in FLL last year, and she loves to code. She knows some Python and is currently learning Java. Ana joined this team to mostly learn more code, but also to explore the mechanical aspects of robotics. She likes Speech and Debate and has competed in the Congress event. Outside of robotics, Ana likes to read, play piano, do speech and debate,  and spend time with her friends.
Fun fact: Ana loves to foster cats, and has fostered 6 cats and kittens so far.


​ISAAC JIN
Email: ​isaacjin@quixilver8404.org
Isaac is an 8th grader at Bret Harte Middle School and is really excited for his 2nd year in FTC 8404. Isaac has always been interested in building or creating unique things. He joined this team to pursue his passion for mechanics as well as meet new people with similar interests. Other than robotics, Isaac participates in soccer, Kung Fu, and art. His hobbies include editing and posting YouTube videos, playing video games, and flipping a butterfly knife. 
Fun fact: Isaac’s initials (I.J.) are right next to each other in the alphabet.

ISHAAN DESAI
Email: ​ishaandesai@quixilver8404.org
Ishaan is an 8th grader attending Bret Harte Middle School, and is looking forward to his first year with FTC 8404. Ishaan has participated in FLL for two years in the past, and loves to learn about the concepts of programming. He is passionate about programming and math, both of which he has been competing in contests for since elementary school. Besides robotics, he enjoys tennis, Math Olympiad, and the American Computer Science League. Some of his non-academic hobbies include spending time with friends, watching YouTube, and playing card games.
Fun fact: Ishaan loves carrots, and all of his usernames relate to them.

​JAMES TONG
Email: ​jamestong@quixilver8404.org
James is an 8th grader at Bret Harte Middle School and is really excited for his first year on the team. This is James’ first time participating in a competitive robotics program and is looking forward to contributing to Quixilver 8404. He joined this team to continue his passion for robotics and to be in a collaborative team atmosphere. Although he focuses on the mechanical section, James also enjoys programming in both Python & Java. Outside of robotics, James is a competitive swimmer. He loves competing in breaststroke events and medley relays the most. Aside from swimming, James enjoys drawing digital art, traveling, listening to music, and watching movies.
Fun fact: James has swum with an NCAA champion.
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MENTORS
​MR. KEVIN TIBBS (Head Mentor & Teacher Advisor)
Mr. Kevin W. Tibbs - Spending the first 15 years of his professional life as an industrial researcher, Mr. Tibbs started teaching both Physics and Electronics at Leland High School in 2008 after a career change. He values his teaching experience as the most rewarding and satisfying part of his life. In 2014, he saw an opportunity to expand into robotics, so he started FTC 8404. He never ceases to be amazed at how clever, focused, and driven his students are and loves seeing his team use the engineering process to develop not only their robot but themselves. He continues to enjoy watching young people grow into responsible young adults and hopes to continue working with his community for a long time.
Fun fact: He continues to challenge himself mentally by learning a language and physically by climbing walls.
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MRS. HELEN ARRINGTON (Mentor & Teacher Advisor)
Mrs. Arrington is the sole founder, passionate mentor, and enthusiastic leader of the Leland FRC 604 Robotics team, and she has been involved with FIRST for 19 years. She gives up her weekends, weekdays, holidays, and even supervises overnight sessions to robotics, all without pay. She exemplifies gracious professionalism and dedication, volunteering at every FLL, FTC or FRC tournament in the area.  In 2014, she encouraged Mr. Kevin Tibbs, a physics teacher at Leland High School, to start a FTC team for 8th graders at local middle schools.  This idea led to the formation of FTC team 8404.  She continues to mentor both FTC 8404 and FRC 604 and inspire students.

PAST MEMBERS
Jessica Pearson (2014-2019): Founding Team Captain, Founding Programming Lead, Driver
Emily Chun (2014-2019): Founding Outreach Lead
Dean Haroon (2014-2017): Founding Mechanical Lead
Wesley L. (2014-2016): Founding Member
Nicholas C. (2014-2015): Founding Member
Matthew C. (2014)
Ellen J. (2015-2020): Outreach Lead, Treasurer, Secretary
Terrence T. (2015-2020): Co-Captain, Mechanical Lead, Driver
Ryan Ng. (2015-2019): PR Lead
Binh N. (2015-2017): CAD Lead
Patric C. (2015-2016)
Ryan P. (2015-2016)
Alex C. (2016-2021): Programming Lead
Daniel D. (2016-2021): Treasurer, Secretary, Parent Liaison
Ethan P. (2016-2020): Co-Captain
Yash B. (2016-2017)
Marisa N. (2016-2017)
Aroshi G. (2017-2022): Captain, Driver
Kobe G. (2017-2021): Captain, Outreach Lead
Tom L. (2017-2021): Mechanical Lead
Ryan Ni. (2017-2021): PR Lead
Andrea B. (2018-2022): Programming Lead
Debbie A. (2018-2020): Safety Captain, Driver
Anahita K.G. (2019-2022)
Sahana G. (2020-2022)
Esther K. (2020-2022): Mechanical Lead
Aneri S. (2020-2022)