By: Jeffries F. Epps, Staff Writer
Raeford, NC – May 10, 2025
In a tale that blends brains, beauty, and bots, Hoke County High School freshman Alice Trappier is proving that STEM isn’t just for scientists—it’s for stylists, too.
Alice, who dreams of becoming a licensed hair stylist, recently took a detour through the world of technology and emerged as a champion. On May 3rd, she competed in the Game of Drones Robotics Tournament, where she and teammate Earnest Hodge soared to first place among high school competitors. The tournament, held at Fayetteville Technical Community College and sponsored by Netcom Business Solutions, challenged students to use real-world coding and engineering skills to navigate drones through a 9-by-9-foot grid based on NASA flight scenarios.
Alice’s journey to victory began with her involvement in STEMERALD CITY LLC, an innovative program that equips students with hands-on experience in coding, 3D modeling, and electronics—the three pillars of robotics. While these may seem like far-flung skills from her cosmetology aspirations, Alice quickly recognized their overlap.
“Cosmetology is all about precision, creativity, and understanding how things work—just like coding,” she explained. “When I style hair, I’m thinking in patterns, sequences, and symmetry. That’s the same mindset I use when programming a drone.”
For four hours, Alice and Earnest programmed their drones—one that rolls, one that flies—to perform complex tasks inspired by space exploration missions. With quick thinking and a steady hand on the keyboard, they mastered each challenge.
The highlight of the day came when their names were called as champions. Alice’s CTE computer science teacher, brimming with pride, snapped a photo of her holding the gleaming trophy and promptly emailed it to the entire school staff.
“Alice is the perfect example of what happens when creativity meets code,” the teacher wrote. “This is what 21st-century learning looks like.”
From styling hair to steering drones, Alice Trappier is showing that the future isn’t either/or—it’s both/and. And in her STEM wonderland, every young person has the power to rewrite what success looks like.
What’s next for Alice? “Maybe designing a line of smart hair tools,” she grinned. “Why not?”
Because in her world, the sky—literally—is the limit.