Where Are They Now? — The Real Spare Parts Team
After their inspiring 2004 victory, the Carl Hayden Community High School robotics team went on to forge unique and powerful paths in life. Here's where they are now:
- Oscar Vazquez: Earned a mechanical engineering degree after receiving his green card. He served two tours in Afghanistan as part of the U.S. Army and now works at BNSF Railway. Oscar advocates for immigration reform and youth in STEM.
- Cristian Arcega: Widely regarded as the team’s top technical mind. He spent a year at Arizona State before moving into the workforce, where he took roles in engineering and R&D across multiple tech and aerospace firms.
- Lorenzo Santillan: Shifted his creativity to the kitchen, graduating culinary school. He co-founded a Phoenix-based tamale truck called “Ni de aquí, ni de allá”, blending his roots with innovation.
- Luis Aranda: The physical backbone of the team. He entered the trades and later partnered with Lorenzo in the tamale business while also staying involved with youth programs in Phoenix.
Their story became a movement—empowering first-generation students, immigrants, and underdogs to believe in what’s possible with grit and mentorship.
From a robot named “Stinky” to national headlines, the impact of the Carl Hayden team lives on.