Over the past year our team enjoyed designing and creating our device. Seen below are an assortment of the best pictures. We hope that you enjoy.

Countless hours were spent creating our device. In the above picture, we are testing both our solar panels and our motor.

In this picture we reinforce our frame and attach the solar panels via twisty-ties.

The time has finally arrived! After Joe Carolan and Mithil Munshi qualified our device, it was now time for the final competition. Welcome to the X-Prize Cup! (Photo by Alicia Upano)

Our device now rests amongst the competitors as well as the admirers alike. On this cold Saturday morning we prepare for competition, carefully adding each solar panel to the frame. (Photo by Alicia Upano)

Just look at the size of this massive crane! Not only was the size daunting, but the wind was unbearable. (Photo by Alicia Upano)

Our mystifying sign announces our presence on the tarmac. This was originally supposed to be used as a rudder to shield the wind, but was soon downgraded and replaced by a superior method.

Just before leaving the tent for the staging area, we discuss our final plan of action. (Photo by Alicia Upano)

We sit patiently and proudly before our device, eagerly awaiting our opportunity on the ribbon. (Photo by Alicia Upano)

As other teams slowly crawl up the unsteady ribbon, we decide to make one final adjustment before making our first attempt. (Photo by Alicia Upano)

Finally, our time has arrived. After hours of waiting, we are now prepared to attach our device to the ribbon. (Photo by Alicia Upano)

After attaching the driving force of our device to the ribbon, we carefully attach the solar panels. (Photo by Alicia Upano)

Before allowing our device to crawl up the ribbon, we must take precautions and make sure everything is flawlessly attached. There is no room for error. A scrict time limit only adds to the excitement. (Photo by Alicia Upano)

After months of painstaking work, our device makes its maiden voyage into the desert sky of New Mexico. With the solar panels still angled at 180 degrees, our device clocks in with the fastest time yet in the competition at just over five minutes! (Photo by Alicia Upano)

During our lengthy break between attempts, we make some major adjustments, such as improving the motor effeciency. Hopefully, these adjustments will increase the speed of our climber. (Photo by Alicia Upano)

With our solar panels now angled and our motor now much more effecient, our improved climber stuns the audience and reaches the top in just over two minutes. This would prove to be the second fastest time of the entire competition! (Photo by Alicia Upano)

Following our high school team’s major success, the media clamors for interviews. Here, team mentor Larry Grattan discusses his thoughts on the team’s success. (Photo by Alicia Upano)

We hope that you have enjoyed the timeline of events that unfolded during our quest for the grand prize. Look for our revamped team in next year’s competition.