The CNMI Aeronautical Dolphins of Marianas High School represented the Pacific territories of CNMI, Guam, and American Samoa when they won the State Real World Design Challenge earlier this April 2015. Yesterday, November 15, 2015 the National Real World Design Challenge competition was held from 8am – 10am local time.
The 2015 winning team members consist of:
- Norcio, Ann Margaret
- Nisola, Edna
- Alam, Masrur
- Kim, Jun Young
- Cao, Matthew
- Chen, Scarlet
- Malate, Robert
The Aeronautical Dolphins of Marianas High School is coached by John Raulerson, a mathematics teacher and aviation club coach at MHS. He has dedicated many hours to coaching and mentoring the team. He has been there at the inception of the CNMI Real World Design Challenge. The RWDC State competition is coordinated by the CNMI Public School System whose state coordinator is Jeaniffer Cubangbang. The 2015 CNMI mentors consists of Manoj Rahematpura of Pratt & Whitney, Cpt. Christina Hart Mastracchio of Andersen Airforce Base, Donald Clayburn of Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Douglas Brennan of Atkins Kroll Toyota, Dave Swartz of FAA, and Emory Frink.
The students did great at yesterday’s presentation. One of the judges mentioned many times how we was impressed with unmanned aircraft’s design, specifically the air foil. Board member Tanya King and myself both got the goosebumps when watching the student’s during rehearsal. We knew they’d do great at the competition. And they did amazing! They were well-dressed, spoke with confidence, well-prepared, knowledgable, and enthusiastic as they presented and answered the judge’s questions. Raulerson says it’s hard word and endurance that allowed them to prevail and come this far.
This is the 2nd time the CNMI’s Aerounatical Dolphins of MHS have won the National Competition. The Aeronautical Dolphins of MHS have consistently won the State Real World Design Challenge since its 1st participation in 2012. In 2012, the CNMI won the Against All Odds Award in the national competition in Washington D.C. In 2013, they won 1st place on the National Real World Design Competition. 2013 National Competition winners consist of members: Arada, Jill Ann; Magat, Clariza; Xiao, Stephanie; Xu, Cecilia Huixin; Aglubat, John Paul, and Bigueras, Jessica.Due to RWDC funding issues which included losing a major grantor, the 2015 National Competition had to be presented online via Embry-Riddle University’s Eagle Vision meeting software instead of competing in Washington D.C.
We’d like to thank of the CNMI team’s mentor Douglas Brennon, Toyota Regional Vice President, who hosted the CNMI team competition’s presentation at Atkins Kroll’s conference room this Sunday.
For more information about the Real World Design Challenge, please visit www.realworlddesignchallenge.org
Jeaniffer H. Cubangbang, M.Ed
Cooperative Education & Career Technical Education Teacher
