'Riverhead Air Force' Earns Students Top Honors At Inaugural LI Drone Competition

RIVERHEAD, NY — Pulaski Street School students, who created a "Riverhead Air Force," continue to soar, capturing top honors recently at a Long Island drone competition, officials said.

The Riverhead Central School District's Rocket Drones program, which began during the 2024 to 2025 school year, has continued to thrive, providing students districtwide with a hands-on STEM experience and leading to the creation of Pulaski Street School's dedicated drone technology group, the Riverhead Air Force, school officials said.

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Founded by several Pulaski makerspace club members and library media specialist Crystal Valentin-Espinosa, the Riverhead Air Force enables students to take their drone technology skills to the next level and participate in advanced challenges, district officials said.

The team represented the district in the inaugural Long Island Drone Competition, organized by Nassau BOCES and Rocket Drones, and faced off against 90 other competitors across from Long Island, district officials said.

"Our very own Leonardo Lopez soared to the top, securing first place in drone basketball and achieving the highest overall points," said Robert Hines, district director of technology. "Leonardo also captured second place in line-of-sight racing and the title of 'Top Pilot for Riverhead.'"

During the fall of 2024, Riverhead EdTech coach, Jen Sauter, shared the stage with Rocket Drones co-founder Brandon Turk at the Long Island Technology and Education Summit, and Rocket Drones launched its classroom rover kits.

"A spark was ignited", and the Riverhead Central School District became one of the first in the nation to embrace the innovative program and launched its program with four kits, the district said.

"Riverhead has blazed a trail for other Long Island schools to follow," said Hines. "By the spring of 2025, our third and fourth graders were taking to the skies. Ms. Sauter brought the excitement directly into classrooms, introducing a fresh flight challenge every week. In just five weeks, our students transformed into confident pilots, mastering everything from safe flight navigation to gravity-defying stunt maneuvers."

Next, a drone assembly unfolded in the district's elementary schools, featuring Sauter and Rocket Drones co-founder Brandon Turk, district officials said.

A professional commercial pilot, Turk inspired students with his insight on the wide range of career possibilities within drone technology.

Fourth graders proceeded to sharpen their skills during a five-week unit, tackling complex obstacle courses and perfecting precision landings, while third graders embarked on an introduction to drones in spring 2026, the district said.

"Looking ahead, the horizon is bright," said Hines. "The program will continue to empower our third and fourth graders while expanding into the Pulaski makerspace club and incorporating drone technology into Riverhead Middle School's curriculum."