Aeronautical Dolphins focused in defending title

Marianas High School Aeronautical Dolphins project manager Ann Margaret Norcio, third left, joins members of the team, from left, Daniel Villarmero, Robert Malate, coach John Raulerson, Jun Young Kim, Matthew Cao, and Masrur Alam for a group photo during a break while working on their presentation for the national finals in Washington, D.C. in April. (Jon Perez)

The Aeronautical Dolphins will be representing the Pacific States—American Samoa, the CNMI, and Guam—after winning the 2016 RWDC Pacific State Championship last Jan. 8, their fifth straight title since joining in 2012.

Their entry, a small unmanned aircraft that uses current technology to perform moisture detection on crops and called the Cruiser, would be up against other state winners in the nationals.

Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan, in an email sent to Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), said that they already informed MHS that they approved to fully fund and support the travel costs of the Aeronautical Dolphins to the nation’s capital.

“I have informed MHS that fundraising for this competition is not necessary as their travel expenses will be funded out of the [PSS’] student competition program through the consolidated grant,” said Commissioner Sablan.

Aeronautical Dolphins coach and Mathematics teacher John Raulerson said they are very much thankful for PSS’ decision to fund their trip. The team’s trip would cost $10,000 alone.

“Now, instead of doing fundraising activities like a bake sale or a car wash, these kids could now concentrate more on getting things done. They need to focus in coming up with a competitive presentation since the next is a bigger competition,” said Raulerson.

The MHS Math teacher has a lot of experience in aeronautics as a chief mechanic, chief inspector, and consultant. He has taught aviation physics and aeronautics, which are the foundations of RWDC.

“The new challenge is to tweak the design to make it more of an efficient aircraft. Working on the design alone amounts to countless hours. I just give them the directions and they do everything,” added Raulerson, who was given a plaque of appreciation by the CNMI Legislature for his contributions.

He would accompany the seven-member Aeronautical Dolphins that is composed of project manager Ann Margaret Norcio, marketing specialist Edna Nisola, project mathematician Masrur Alam, simulations engineer Jun Young Kim, mission planner Matthew Cao, aircraft design engineer Robert Malate, and systems planner Daniel Villarmero.

Norcio said that their design was a team effort where what they would do is to first consult each other. It took them almost three hours to agree and finish with the design on the computer alone.

“It was a real challenge for us since we are restricted with time. We have less than two months to work after the national challenge with the Pacific State due in January. So there was really no time to celebrate.”

RWDC is an annual competition for high school students, grades 9 to 12, where they work on real world engineering challenges. The winning team earns a $50,000 scholarship from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.