Hello everyone, I’m Kerem Öz. As you know, my name has been appearing frequently online, in newspapers, and on local news sites in recent days under headlines like “Kerem, a high school student from Izmir, advanced to the quarterfinals with the robot he developed.” I wanted to share this great source of pride, the unforgettable memories I’ve made, and my gratitude to everyone who supported me and helped my voice be heard throughout this process—all in my own words on my blog.
In Seferihisar, the jewel of Izmir, this journey into technology and software—which began as a student at Seferihisar Borsa Istanbul Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School—has taken me all the way to the quarterfinals of the international RoboChallenge Robot Tournament held in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Looking back, I now better understand just how valuable those nights I spent lost among lines of code, those days I spent soldering with my fingers burning, and those days filled with the anxiety of wondering, “Will it work?” truly were.
From Sleepless Nights to the International Stage
My interest in technology and robots dates back to my childhood. However, getting into the nitty-gritty of the work requires much more than just daydreaming. Developing a robot to compete in the Autonomous Football category meant building an algorithm from scratch. I wrote the software entirely on my own, line by line, so that the sensors could detect the ball in a split second, the motors could execute the correct maneuvers, and the robot could make decisions completely independently and autonomously to head toward the opponent’s goal.
Those long hours spent in the workshop, the trial-and-error processes, and that first moment when the robot saw the ball for the first time and made a move toward it… It was worth the world to me. But the real excitement awaited me at the RoboChallenge Tournament held in Bucharest, Romania, from November 1–3.
Those Unforgettable Moments in Bucharest
When I stepped into the competition hall in Romania, there was an incredible buzz of excitement and competition in the air. Hundreds of young people from all over the world were there—speaking different languages but sharing a common language called “technology.” My hands were shaking as I placed my robot on the field in my category, Autonomous Soccer.
When the match began at the referee’s signal, watching my robot scan its surroundings, find the ball, and maneuver past the opposing robot—all thanks to the code I’d written—was an indescribable feeling. My code had come to life; my device, made of metal and plastic, had practically transformed into an intelligent athlete. The moment I learned that I had advanced to the quarterfinals after that fierce battle on the field—that was the moment my heart felt like it was about to leap out of my chest, and I knew every sleepless second had been worth it.
Thanks to Those Who Stood by Me and the Members of the Press Who Gave Me a Voice
This success isn’t mine alone. To those who believed in me, to our school’s principal, Mr. Celal Tetik of Seferihisar Borsa İstanbul Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, who always supported me in representing our school on the international stage; to my valued teachers who broadened my horizons; and to my dear family, who never withheld their financial or emotional support—I extend my endless gratitude. I am fully confident that our school’s Robotics Team will achieve even greater successes in the future.
And of course, I owe a special thanks to the valued members of the press and journalists who ensured this pride wasn’t confined to our own community but was shared with all of Turkey and Izmir—and who, by featuring our successes on the front pages, have inspired countless young technology enthusiasts.
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Hüseyin Emre Gönüllü, the DHA (Demirören News Agency) reporter who was the hero on the scene and who documented this success through his interview with me. Thanks to his professionalism and the value he places on young people, this story came to life.
I would also like to thank the following, who generously provided extensive coverage of my story under the headline “Izmir High School Student Kerem Advances to the Quarterfinals with His Robot” in their newspapers, on their websites, and across local news networks, and who never hesitated to offer their support:
the editors and staff of Milliyet Newspaper,
the newsroom of Hürriyet Newspaper,
the Egepostası family and all local media professionals,
I extend my deepest gratitude on behalf of myself and my school. The pride I felt the moment I saw my name and my country represented by my robot in the news pages has been immortalized thanks to you. These wonderful stories you’ve shared are helping us young people look toward the future with greater hope and determination.
Looking Toward the Future...
The quarterfinals are not an end for me, but merely a beginning for much larger projects. I will continue to develop my skills in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and robotics coding, and to write new algorithms. I look forward to seeing many more technological breakthroughs that make a name for themselves worldwide, starting from Izmir and Seferihisar.
I’d like to thank everyone who shared this moment with me, read the news, visited my blog, and supported me with their kind messages. Stay with science, coding, and love!
Kerem Öz
Student at Seferihisar Borsa Istanbul Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School
References and News Links:
Milliyet: İzmir high school student Kerem advances to the quarterfinals with the robot he developed
Hürriyet: İzmir high school student Kerem advances to the quarterfinals with the robot he developed
Egepostası: Kerem, a high school student from Izmir, advanced to the quarterfinals with the robot he developed
Comments
1Tebrikler Kerem Hayat yolculuğunda daha nice başarılara imza atman dileğiyle 🙏❤️😊