Hayward, CA, Rookie Rocketry Team Earns National Finals Berth

India-West News Desk

HAYWARD, CA- Five first-year Civil Air Patrol cadets from Hayward have earned a place in the National Finals of the American Rocketry Challenge after finishing among the top 100 teams in the nation.

The students advanced from a field of 1,107 teams in the nationwide competition, a notable achievement for a group that had never launched a rocket before this year.

The team — Ishaan M., Aathmika D., Lucas K., Nirvanavi S., and Yaseen T. — all 10th and 11th grade students, will travel to Virginia on May 16 to compete in the finals and present their engineering designs to congressional representatives in Washington, D.C.

Organizers said the cadets spent months learning the physics, engineering, and design skills required for the competition.

The squadron is now seeking community support to help cover travel expenses, including airfare, lodging, transportation, meals, and related costs: https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-our-cadets-to-the-rocketry-nationals

Adult volunteers said earlier expenses, including rocket materials and registration fees, had been covered privately.

The American Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest student rocket competition and offers participants national exposure to STEM education, innovation, and aerospace careers.