In a bold move aimed at transforming educational opportunities for youth in Hoke County, STEMERALD City CEO Jeffries Epps is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative. Epps seeks to partner with local businesses and agencies to bring his innovative robotics competition, “The Game of Drones,” to the region. The goal? To tackle issues like juvenile delinquency, educational inequality, and academic performance head-on.
Epps believes that the talent of Hoke County’s youth is abundant, yet opportunities to showcase this talent are severely limited. “Talent is sitting in our classrooms and roaming our communities,” Epps remarks, highlighting the untapped potential waiting to be unleashed.
“The Game of Drones” isn’t just another competition—it’s a platform designed to enhance students’ computational thinking skills. By engaging in this competition, students sharpen crucial abilities in reading, writing, inferencing, and logical thinking. These skills, Epps emphasizes, are not only applicable in robotics but also transcend into core academic subjects like English Language Arts, Math, and Science.
One of the most remarkable aspects of “The Game of Drones” is its accessibility. Unlike competitions that demand exorbitant registration fees or expensive robotics kits, Epps’ initiative focuses on inclusivity. “It doesn’t take tens of thousands of dollars or bombarding our teachers with complex tasks,” Epps states, underlining the simplicity and effectiveness of the program.
However, Epps acknowledges that true transformation requires community buy-in and strategic planning. With the support of parents, guardians, elected officials, business owners, and educators, Hoke County has the potential to undergo a significant educational revolution. “We can transform Hoke County where students become excited about their future in the workforce and not appearing on the HCSO App,” Epps asserts, envisioning a future where youth are empowered to pursue meaningful careers.
This initiative is a call to action—a plea for a new mindset and proactive measures to address the pressing challenges facing today’s youth. It’s not just about discussing change; it’s about taking tangible steps to create a brighter future for Hoke County’s next generation.
As Epps concludes, “Be warned. I’m not interested in meetings with no results. This is of no benefit for our youth. It’s time for action.”