Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In an extraordinary display of skill, teamwork, and innovation, Tafuna High School’s JROTC Aerial Drone Team 96799B — Toa Drones II — claimed the title of All-Around Champions at the 8th Brigade Aerial Drone Championship, held on February 21- 22, 2025, in Reno, Nevada. This historic win marked the first time Team 96799B competed in a tournament against other teams.

Prior to this, the team had participated in Live Remote Skills Events, which involved only themselves and a head referee viewing and scoring their matches remotely. Their transition to in-person competition was a resounding success, showcasing their growth and dedication.

Toa Drones II competed against 54 teams from across the U.S. Army 8th Brigade JROTC programs, as well as Air Force and Navy JROTC teams, in the inaugural competition.

Hosted by LTC Scott Caldwell, the District Army Instructor for the Washoe County School District, the two-day event at the Grand Sierra Resort & Hotel was a collaborative effort between the REC Foundation, the 8th Brigade, and numerous volunteers.

The competition tested teams’ abilities in aerial drone navigation, strategy, and teamwork, with Toa Drones II rising to the challenge in spectacular fashion.

The team’s journey to victory began in the summer of 2024, when they started practicing with field and game kits purchased by their instructors. With the support of Principal Tutuila Togilau, who provided additional drone resources, the team honed their skills and prepared for their first-ever in-person competition. Their hard work paid off in Reno, where they showcased their talent on a national stage.

After competing in 10 intense qualification matches, Toa Drones II secured a spot in the top 10, earning the opportunity to select an alliance partner for the elimination rounds. c/Sergeant Everett Painter was instrumental in helping the team earn this ranking, showcasing his skills as a Teamwork Pilot and contributing to the team’s success in the early stages of the competition. This strong performance allowed them to rank high heading into the elimination rounds.

They teamed up with Team 3530A - 007 Grey’s Anatomy from Procter R. Hug High School in Sparks, Nevada, forming a formidable partnership. Together, they dominated the elimination rounds, scoring 115 points in the Quarter Finals, 139 in the Semi-Finals, and an impressive 140 in the Finals. Their stellar performance secured a victory over Team 89406A Greenwave Flyers, a Navy JROTC team from Fallon, Nevada, and Team 1962B Skyward, an Army JROTC team from Reno, Nevada, who scored 139 in the Finals.

THE FINALS

The Finals were a nail-biting showdown, with c/Corporal Ayden Puletasi piloting the drone and c/Lieutenant Colonel Gwenavere Felise-Ioka providing critical assistance behind the blackout curtain. Their precision and coordination under pressure were instrumental in securing the win.

In addition to their teamwork success, Toa Drones II excelled in the Skills portion of the competition, where drones were piloted through obstacles both remotely and autonomously to earn points. c/First Sergeant Joseph Spitzenberg and c/Corporal Dang Tat Phu ranked in the top 10 among their peers in this category, demonstrating exceptional piloting and coding skills. c/Major Loraine Steckert provided essential assistance to Tat Phu Dang during the autonomous matches, helping to secure a high score for their team.

Toa Drones II’s achievements did not stop there.

They were awarded the All-Around Champions Award, the highest honor at the competition, which recognizes excellence in both performance and judged categories. This award highlights their outstanding competition skills, exceptional communication abilities, and exemplary conduct, sportsmanship, and professionalism. Additionally, the team shared the Teamwork Missions Champion Award with their alliance partner, Team 3530A - 007 Grey’s Anatomy.

The cadets who competed in Reno and contributed to this historic victory are:

● _c/Lieutenant Colonel Gwenavere Felise-Ioka: Team Captain and Logbook Manager

● _c/First Sergeant Joseph Spitzenberg: Co-Captain, Skills Pilot, and Strategy Analyst

● _c/Corporal Dang Tat Phu: Primary Python Coder, Skills Game Analyst, and Document Specialist

● _c/Major Loraine Steckert: Assistant Coder and Safety Officer

● _c/Sergeant Everett Painter: Teamwork Pilot and Maintenance Manager

● _c/Corporal Ayden Puletasi: Teamwork Pilot and Logbook Journalist

Principal Tutuila Togilau expressed immense pride in the team’s accomplishments, stating, “This victory is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our cadets and their instructors. We are incredibly proud of Toa Drones II for representing Tafuna High School and American Samoa on a national stage.” She also extended her heartfelt gratitude to the THS JROTC instructors for their unwavering commitment to the cadets of the Warrior Nation.

The cadets credit their success in their faith in God and thank the Lord for His guidance and protection over the team throughout their competition. His blessings have been evident in the hard work, dedication, and success of the cadets and they are truly grateful for His hand in this journey. In addition, the team extends their gratitude to the Honorable Governor Pula Nikolao Pula for his blessings over the team prior to their departure, as well as his Staff for their support in positively highlighting the team and their efforts to the people of American Samoa through official press releases.

The team and JROTC Instructors also express their gratitude to Maefau Dr. Mary Taufete’e, Deputy Director Dr. Roxanne Salavea, and AD Dr. Dottie Tuisamatatele for their continued support of the JROTC program and recognizing the efforts of the cadets representing American Samoa in these off-island competitions. Their support is critical to our students' success.

The success of Toa Drones II would not have been possible without the generous support of their sponsors, who provided critical funding and resources. The team extends their deepest appreciation to the following sponsors for their financial support:

The US Army 8th Brigade

Pago Pago Trading Company (Ella Gurr)

Paramount Builders (Papali’i & Wanda Alofa)

GIAS STORE (Sam & Jody Meleisea)

Representative Larry Sanitoa

Vila’s Snack Bar

Roy & Dr. Christina Pola-Willis

Ms. Solofa Monique

Milovale & Agalelei Solaita

Fran Lagafuaina

Mr. & Mrs. Steckert

Jeff Moustauccas (Tracey LLC)

Mr. and Mrs. Dang

Mrs. Sina Puletasi

PIOA Consulting, LLC (Sisi & William Spitzenberg)

Mrs. Karen Felise-Ioka

Island Business Center (for donating the Aerial Drone Banner)

American Samoa Visitors Bureau (ASVB) (for providing American Samoa swag, including bags, brochures, and stickers, which the cadets used to display our beautiful island at their table and as gifts for attendees)

Representative Ben Sauvao (who committed to printed shirts for upcoming competitions for our STEM teams)

The team and instructors also extend their heartfelt thanks to the parents of the cadets for their unwavering support and for cheering on their cadets from home. Their love and encouragement mean the world to the team, and the cadets felt their support every step of the way. This achievement is as much the parents’ as it is the cadets’.

A special thank you was also given to Tafuna High School Cafeteria Supervisor Makelika and her staff for allowing the drone teams to use the cafeteria for practice sessions. The team also acknowledged the unwavering support of the THS staff and the entire Warrior Nation community.

What’s Next for Team 96799B - Toa Drones II?

Fresh off their historic win at the 8th Brigade Aerial Drone Championship, Team 96799B — Toa Drones II is gearing up for even greater challenges. Their championship victory has earned them an invitation to compete at the prestigious 2025 JROTC Army Bowl - Aerial Drone Competition, scheduled for March 7-8 at Fort Moore, Georgia. This elite event will bring together the best JROTC drone teams from across the nation, offering Toa Drones II another opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage.

But their journey doesn’t end there. The team has also qualified for the 2025 National JROTC All-Service Aerial Drone Championship, set to take place on April 4-5 in Batesville, Mississippi. This competition will feature top teams from all branches of the JROTC program, including Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, making it one of the most competitive events in the aerial drone circuit.

With their sights set on these upcoming challenges, Toa Drones II is more motivated than ever to continue their winning streak. The team is already hard at work refining their strategies, improving their technical skills, and preparing to represent Tafuna High School and American Samoa with the same determination and excellence that brought them victory in Reno.

The Warrior Nation stands behind them as they aim for even greater heights in the months to come!