Schools
Whiz Kid: Hank Eylicio, Jr.
In addition to his involvement in robotics competitions, he participates as a cadet with the Explorer Program of the Indio Army Cadets.
NAME: Hank Eylicio Jr., 14 years old
SCHOOL: Palm Desert Charter Middle School, 8th Grade
ACCOMPLISHMENT: They say necessity is the mother of invention. Inspired by a scare that his father, Hank Eylicio Sr., had overseas, Eylicio Jr. created a robot that can detect bombs, a product of his ability to troubleshoot complex robotic designs and programs.
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KEY TO AWESOMENESS: Eylicio Jr. is involved in multiple robotics competitions in FIRST and BotBall, which has contributed to honing his skills as a budding robotics guru. He also participates as a cadet with the Explorer Program of the Indio Army Cadets.
“Hank impressed me from the first time that I met him. He is a stellar student and natural leader,” said Liberty Naud, the founder and executive director of SMaRT Education. “I’ve had multiple opportunities to observe and speak with him. He’s bright, outgoing, respectful and a natural choice for a nomination to be a Palm Desert Patch Whiz Kid.”
