By Jeffries F. Epps, Staff Writer
The recent Game of Drones Robotics Competition held at NC A&T University was not just a showcase of technical skills but also a testament to the impact of mentorship and guidance in shaping young minds. As Vince Lombardi once said, “They call it coaching, but it is teaching. You do not just tell them… you show them the reasons.” This sentiment resonated throughout the competition, where judges took on the role of mentors, nurturing the participants’ talents and potential.
The judges, whose primary objective was to score each team’s attempts during the competition, went beyond their roles and became mentors to the aspiring young engineers and programmers. Among the distinguished panel of judges were:
- Brian Totten, CTE Certified Drone Teacher/Pilot at Bartlett Yancey High School
- Graham Loftis, Junior and Certified Drone Pilot at Bartlett Yancey High School
- Brandon Brooks, CTE Computer Science Teacher at Southwest Edgecombe High School
- Chad Osborne, STEM Master Teacher in Richmond County
- Chrishaud McNeil, Computer Science Student at NC State University
- Andrew Hartwell, Owner, AH Tek Solutions
- Cerissa “CiCi” White, Owner, White Noise Consulting
- Kris Terry, Digital Design Student, NC A&T University
Graham Loftis, one of the judges and a certified drone pilot, emphasized the transformative power of robotics and coding, stating, “Coding and doing math with robotics can change your life.”
Brian Totten, another judge and CTE Certified Drone Teacher, expressed his enthusiasm for recognizing intellectual prowess, saying, “I have been waiting for trophies for students’ intellectual ability. STEMerald City gets it! In the Game of Drones.”
During the competition, the judges not only evaluated the technical aspects but also provided valuable insights, guidance, and encouragement to the participants. This mentorship role added a layer of learning and growth beyond the competition itself, fostering a spirit of collaboration and continuous improvement among the young innovators.
The Game of Drones Robotics Competition not only celebrated technical skills but also highlighted the importance of mentorship and education in nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders and problem-solvers.
