NNPS aerial drone teams compete at Northeast Regional Championship
Published May 20, 2026
Teams from the Heritage High School Governor's STEM Academy and Menchville High School competed at the Aerial Drone Competition Northeast Regional Championship held May 16-17 at Fairmont State University Falcon Center in Fairmont, West Virginia.
Two of Menchville’s teams and one of Heritage’s teams qualified for the event based on their World Skill Standings from the regular season. Both schools, which field numerous drone teams from their Robotics Clubs during the regular season, were participating in the event for the first time.
Heritage Team A consisted of Wyse-Solomon Brown, Brayell Grayson- Ward, John Higgins, Amialyn Lipsey, Rachel Perkins, and Sage Williams. Heritage teacher and STEM lead Jacole Hendricks is their coach.
“Students were extremely excited as this was their first time and look forward to attending next year,” Hendricks said.
Menchville Team A was comprised of Jaatari Fletcher, Brandon West and Dr. Michael Shumate, who is a Menchville teacher and STEM lead who coaches both teams. Menchville Team E consisted of Aaliyah Mipanga, Samuel Oyebode and Solomon Sanford.
Senator Mark Warner sent congratulatory letters to each of Menchville’s teams acknowledging their successful seasons.
“This is the first time we have attended the Northeast Regional Event,” Shumate said, adding that the regional is the end of the season for all competitors. “The students look forward to next year.”
Funding and support for the teams was made possible through the Virginia Department of Education STEM+C Competition Team Grant and the DoDEA Mission STEM Grant, according to NNPS STEM Instructional Supervisor Tami Byron.
“We are incredibly proud of these students and coaches for advancing to regionals and representing Newport News Public Schools on a larger stage,” Byron said.
