Writer – MAJ (Ret.) Siimoa Galoia (SAI)
Photographer – American Samoa DOE Communications Team
Tafuna High School’s Army JROTC program has reached a remarkable milestone in STEM education, showcasing innovation and excellence through its Aerial Drone after-school extracurricular activity. On November 12, 2024, the Tafuna High School Aerial Drone Teams, 96799A and 96799B, competed in the Live Remote Skills Event hosted by the Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation. This marked the culmination of months of preparation, where cadets mastered the art of piloting drones and programming them for autonomous flight in the competitive Gravity Skills Game.
This competition also served as a historical milestone for American Samoa, as Tafuna High School JROTC successfully hosted the territory’s first-ever Aerial Drone Competition (ADC) in partnership with the REC Foundation. Held via Google Meet under the guidance of Regional Manager Nadine Amaya and Head Referee Richardson, the event allowed cadets to compete on a global stage, demonstrating their skills in autonomous programming and piloting.
The tournament was a proud moment for the JROTC program as cadets demonstrated their capabilities in a challenging skills course. Each team participated in two five-minute autonomous programming matches and two one-minute manual piloting sessions. Their drones navigated the course with precision and speed, earning points for completing tasks and showcasing impressive teamwork and technical proficiency.
Team 96799A, led by Team Captain Wallace Vaigatolo, scored a commendable 440 points, while Team 96799B, captained by Joseph Spitzenberg, achieved an outstanding 475 points. Both teams earned recognition from the REC Foundation and Head Referee Bill Richardson for their exceptional performance in programming and piloting. Their scores have been added to the World Skills Standings, positioning the teams for potential participation in the West Regionals Aerial Drone Competition.
The cadets used advanced coding languages like Python to program their drones for autonomous navigation, showcasing ingenuity and technical expertise that placed them at the forefront of STEM education in American Samoa. This achievement reflects the dedication of the cadets and their instructors and the growing emphasis on STEM within the JROTC curriculum.
Tafuna’s cadets have proven their dedication to pioneering STEM initiatives in the territory, setting a high standard for their peers and establishing a legacy of achievement for future cadets. These teams are not just competing; they are inspiring a new generation of leaders and innovators.
This achievement underscores the importance of integrating technology and STEM into education, particularly in underserved regions, and highlights how programs like JROTC can provide cadets with life-changing opportunities. Tafuna High School’s JROTC program continues to excel, empowering its cadets to reach new heights—literally and figuratively.