After five teams from Austin Public Schools were invited to this weekend’s VEX Robotics state tournament, the schools will send them off in style Friday for the big competition.

On Friday, there will be send-off celebrations at both I.J. Holton Intermediate School and Ellis Middle School.

The celebration at Holton will feature an overview of the season so far as well as demonstrations from the teams headed to state and will begin at 8:05 a.m. in the Holton gym. For more information on the Holton send-off, please contact advisor Kaylene Jensen at kaylene.jensen@austin.k12.mn.us or I.J. Holton Principal Jean McDermott at jean.mcedermott@austin.k12.mn.us.

The celebration at Ellis Middle School will take the form of a parade through the halls and will begin at 8:45 a.m. For more information about the Ellis send-off, please contact advisor Tom Fritz at tom.fritz@austin.k12.mn.us or Ellis Principal Jason Senne at jason.senne@austin.k12.mn.us.