Awards & Recognitions

J. Reyes from Asheboro HS North Carolina
"J. Reyes rallied to form a team last year and pushed me to enter them in the Regional Competition.  After making it to Nationals last year, we had more recruits wanting to join.  Jaycoll spent lots of hours training and encouraging our new pilots. He also has worked with the middle school coach to get their drones up and running."
 

S. Schimpf - Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum Denver CO

​"S.Schimpf has been the primary striker on the team for a few years. He is part 107 certified and has come a very long way in learning perseverance, teamwork and leadership. "

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Z. Showerman - Spencer Van-Etten

"Z. Showerman is the SVE Skeleton Crew's MVP.  He has worked around other sports and activities to build and learn to fly his drone. He quickly mastered the drone and flew into the striker position and has led the team with goals."

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S. Salgado - Cabrillo HS, Long Beach CA

"Her ability to play a solid defense and take over a game from the defensive side is unbelievable.  She controls her team and is the main communicator and captain!"
 

R. Tyler - Sato Academy, Long Beach CA 
"Ross is a Junior and has been playing drone soccer for 3 years. He has matured over the past few years into a team captain and into one of the best strikers in the league. He is fully capable of scoring at will and is always looking for ways to improve."
 

I. Rios-Cervantes - Sato Academy, Long Beach CA

​"Ivan is a junior and has been a part of drone soccer since its beginning. He can always be found working on everyone's drone and giving tips on making their drone better. He is a force to be reckoned with.  He is an awesome striker - one of the best. "
 

G. Hixon - California Drone Sports Dawgs Long Beach CA

​"He has recently started playing drone soccer competitively. He was nominated as captain of the Dawgz and has been a strong leader for the team. He has grown into his role as striker and is becoming on of the best in Long Beach.
 

M. Davis - GST Boces New York

"M. has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and academic excellence. As the spark that started our team, M. has consistently supported his teammates in various roles, including captain, coach, and encourager. His unwavering commitment to both personal growth and team success makes him a standout candidate for the Outstanding Student recognition".

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P. Grandy - Madrid-Waddington New York

"Now in her third year on the team, she has become an essential part of our program through her dedication, consistency, and high-level performance.

Phebe is especially valuable as a striker, where her piloting skills truly shine. She is calm under pressure, composed during high-stakes matches, and consistently delivers results when it matters most. Beyond her flight skills, she is also one of our strongest technical team members—capable and confident in building, repairing, and programming her drone in Beta Flight. She understands how to optimize her drone’s performance based on her position and role on the team.

She’s also been growing as a leader  during all her seasons, stepping up to support newer team members and lead by example. She is dependable, always prepared, and takes responsibility seriously—showing up early, staying focused, and being exactly where she needs to be when she needs to be there.

Her combination of skill, responsibility, and developing leadership makes her an incredibly valuable asset to our team."

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N. Krause - Bath
"N. is a 9th grade student who had not found her place on a school team before but based on her attitude and performance in technology class, we knew we wanted to recruit her for our team. This was our school's first year with a drone soccer team, so it was brand new to everyone, but N. quickly distinguished herself as the team's best striker. Even though all of the players like to play striker, when we had a close match, the rest of the team knew they wanted N. as striker and they would cheer her on without hesitation. Other coaches would make comments about her unmatched flying skills at scrimmages. We have seen N. bloom, growing with confidence and becoming much more comfortable as a team player. "
 

B. Shiely - Mohonasen HS, Schenectady NY

J. Vangarderen - Mohonasen HS, Schenectady NY
 

Alexis Wood OPUS Academy NYC NY

"I am honored to nominate one of our exceptional sixth-grade students, A. Wood, for the Team’s Most Valuable Player Award. A. has demonstrated remarkable dedication, enthusiasm, and leadership through her involvement in Drone Soccer this year.
From the beginning, A. showed a high level of interest in every aspect of the program—from building and programming the drone to flying it with precision and control. Her curiosity and willingness to learn have set her apart. What truly makes her stand out, however, is her unwavering focus and patience. She approaches every challenge with a calm determination, and her steady progress has been nothing short of impressive.
She is not only a strong individual contributor but also a quiet leader among her peers. Her consistent improvement and composed presence have made her a role model for the entire team. She encourages others through her actions and helps foster a supportive, team-centered environment.
Her maturity, perseverance, and passion for learning make her a deserving candidate for this recognition. I am confident she will continue to achieve great things and inspire those around her.  She may be small in stature, but she is mighty in competition and is not intimidated by older high school competitors."

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Matthew Moto - OPUS Nighthawks, NYC. NY

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N.Eugene - Hayward HS, Springfield OH
"N. Eugene came through in tournaments by stepping up to earn a big win for Hayward when in a clinch!"
 

J. Lohse. He's quiet, but is the first ready to go and first into his position when the timer starts. He's consistent as our goalkeeper and his skills have only improved with time. Without his presence in the the backfield, we would really be hurting.

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O. Tucker - Dixon HS, Dixon IL: O. Tucker is consistently at practice and has progressed greatly in skill level throughout the year.  He is a solid forward and can support the striker or step up on short notice to take on that mantle himself.
 

O. Jones - TN Drone Masters, Nolensville HS, Nashville TN

N. Sotirovic -The Metro Early College and High School, Columbus OH

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J. Vandergarderen - Mohonasen HS, Schenectady, NY

B. Sheiley - Mohonasen HS, Schenectady, NY

Jennifer Gabriel - Asheboro HS North Carolina
 

L. Smith - Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum Denver CO

​"L. Smith is a quiet, confident leader.  He always ensures that the team is operating efficiently and that all needs are being met.  He encourages teammates and is adept at flying and mechanical skills."
 

 L. Showerman - Spencer Van-Etten

"L. Showerman is the SVE Skeleton Crew's highest flyer.  He was the team's first recruit and has been leading our team ever since.  He is always willing to chip in and coordinate practices, help with recruiting and keeping the team spirit strong."

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A. Ibarra - Cabrillo HS, Long Beach CA

"A. Ibarra for his ability to fly with the best in the world.  He can score high against anyone and has the ability to out maneuver and even take down the other striker all while focusing on scoring.  He leads his team by example and will be majoring in Aerospace engineering in the future. "

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K. Black - Sato Academy, Long Beach CA

​"K. is a junior and has been part of the drone soccer program since it's beginning. She has grown from just being part of the the team to captain and president of the drone soccer program at Sato. She was chosen to do a Podcast for the school district because of her knowledge and leadership. She is an excellent role model and advocate for girls in STEAM."
 

A. Arroyo - Sato Academy, Long Beach CA

​"A. is a qreat student with a high interest in STEAM. She is in the 9th grade. She started out by taking a summer drone soccer camp. She took on the role of being a goalie and was nominated to be the captain of her team. She is a strng role model for girls in Aviation."

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N. Thibodeaux - California Drone Sports Dawgs, Long Beach CA

​"N. Thibodeaux started off as a quiet student who was unsure about doing drone soccer. She has grown into her role on the team as a goalie and has gain a lot of confidence. She has done an excellent job in leading the team this year."

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N. Hall- GST Boces New York

"N. has consistently exhibited remarkable ambition, innovation, and perseverance. His ability to excel in challenging situations and his drive to achieve excellence make him a perfect candidate for the Highest Flyer Award. N's contributions have significantly elevated our team's performance and morale.".

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M. Burke - Madrid-Waddington New York

"In recognition of his outstanding leadership and all-around excellence throughout the season; now in his third year on the team, M. has grown into a dependable and respected leader who leads both by example and through his positive influence on others.

Primarily a defensive player, M. is also one of our most effective strikers and can seamlessly adapt to any position on the field. His versatility, combined with his calm demeanor and ability to “roll with the punches,” makes him a vital member of the team. He shows up on time, is always prepared, and brings out the best in those around him.

When the team hits a rough patch, M. is the one who rallies everyone together—offering encouragement, direction, and often a well-timed bit of humor that helps reset the team’s energy. His leadership is steady and authentic, and his teammates naturally look to him for guidance and motivation.

Beyond drone soccer, M. is a leader in our school community as well—active in football, basketball, golf,  and student government. His integrity, commitment, and team-first mindset make him an ideal candidate for this award."

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J. Mehlenbacher - Bath
"J. is an 8th grade student who has shown leadership in our team's first season. He remains calm in stressful situations, tries to think and speak logically to the rest of the team, and stays extremely focused on the task at hand."
 

C Herforth - Watkins Glen

"Christopher is our most successful striker on the team and has been our captain. He has consistently demonstrated incredible skill, leadership, and sportsmanship throughout the season.
A true wiz at both building and flying drones, his technical expertise is matched by his strategic thinking and quick reflexes in competition. But beyond his talent, what makes him truly exceptional is his personality. He brings energy, humor, and positivity to every practice and tournament. His sense of humor and laid-back attitude make him a natural team builder—he lifts others up, supports every player, and helps create a welcoming and encouraging environment for all our team and those we compete with.
This is our first year competing in Drone Soccer, and the foundation of our success has been the relationships we've built. This young man has been at the heart of that effort.
He is a leader in every sense—through his actions, his attitude, and his ability to bring people together. I can’t think of a more deserving student for this recognition."

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Abdul Wahab - OPUS Academy 
 

C. Bostick
"C. shows strong leadership every day by not only offering his experience and skills to the team, but by always encouraging a good sportsmanship spirit to the team, and holding our team members up during challenges."

L. Haws Dixon Public Schools, Dixon IL: L.Haws is our communicator, the voice of the team during the matches. She consistently pulls the team together and gets them focused on our objective. She has raised our level of play through coordination and situational awareness.

Owen Jones - TN Drone Masters, Nolensville HS, Nashville TN

Moss Spanos - The Metro School, Columbus OH

Andrew Crux - Mohonasen HS, Schenectady, NY
 

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Students nominated by the teachers as most likely to establish a successful career in aviation and aerospace. This student is a leader among their peers with a keen track on their future success.
 

M. Reyes - Asheboro HS North Carolina

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A. Overholt - Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum,Colorado
 

K. Payne is the Spencer Van-Etten Skeleton Crew's Aviation Achievement Award recipient. K. has been interested in art from an early age and had been thinking of careers in Art until he was introduced to drone soccer and is now thinking of combining Art and Drones with a career in designing and marketing drones.
 

J. Zavala-Garcia, Cabrillo HS, Long Beach CA: J. loves to fly drones and is currently preparing to get his FAA Part 107 license. He is interested in not only flying drones but also planes in the future.
 

S. Jacela, Sato Academy, Long Beach CA: S. Jacela is a junior who wants to pursue engineering. He is in the engineering pathway at Sato and has been part of the drone soccer program since it's beginning. He is taking the aerospace engineering class at Sato and has participated in the EAA Young Eagles program.
 

A. Hewitt, Sato Academy, Long Beach CA: A.Hewitt is a junior at Sato and has high hopes of pursuing a degree in the STEM field. She is extremely smart and joined drone soccer because all the tech was appelaing to her.

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G. Paragas, California Drone Sports Dawgs, Long Beach CA: G Paragas is a 9th grader in the engineering pathway at Sato. He has shown a high interest in aerospace by joining the drone soccer and aviation clubs at Sato. He is an awesoe kid with immense potential.
 

Tyler Young, GST BOCES NY
 

B. Weaver, Madrid Waddington NY:
Now in his second year on the Drone Soccer team, B. Weaver has demonstrated both a deep interest in aviation and a clear trajectory toward a future in the field. He is currently exploring a career in aeronautical engineering and has already taken meaningful steps in that direction—most notably earning his FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate through our school’s program and exploring college engineering programs.

On the field, Ben is a highly effective striker whose flying skills and situational awareness allow him to excel in any position. He brings precision, adaptability, and focus to every match, showing the kind of skill set that aligns with a future in aviation or aerospace.

Beyond drone soccer, Ben is a well-rounded and engaged student, active in student government, varsity ice hockey, and drama club—where he just completed a leading role in our spring musical. His ability to balance technical interests with creativity is impressive, and I have no doubt that he will thrive in any aviation or aerospace path he chooses to pursue.

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Angelina LNU Bath Central NY: Angelina is an 8th grade student who joined our brand new drone soccer team because of her passion for aviation and drones. Her skills have improved immensely over the course of the season and we now count on her as a key part of our defense. She has a great sense of competitiveness while still enjoying herself and making others around her laugh. She has shared her desire to become a pilot in the future, but Angelina recently shared with excitement that her father may be purchasing her a drone so that she can pursue drone photography.
 

G. Green - I am proud to nominate G. Green for the Aviation Achievement Award. G. Green is flying competitively for the very first time this season, yet he has demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, initiative, and growth in the field of drone aviation. From the moment he was introduced to drone soccer, his curiosity took flight—quite literally. He quickly immersed himself in learning not only how to fly but also how drones work, eagerly taking on the challenge of piloting and supporting his team.
 

S. Aici -OPUS Nighthawks, NYC
 

N.Ogle - N. Ogle, Hayward OH: N. Ogle always shows focus and a willingness to work hard to hone his skills, as well as offering creativity in the sport of Drone Soccer.

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JR Kenney Oles. He has a passion for his drone hobby. Both with the team and at home, he's pursuing his interest.
 

R. Prakash TNDrone Masters, Nolensville HS, Nashville TN
 

B. Quachey - The Metro Early College and High School, Columbus OH
 

N. Tedisco - Mohonasen HS, Schenectady, NY