MARION, N.C. — The Easley High School Navy JROTC drone team competed in its last drone competition of the year on April 24 at McDowell High School in Marion, N.C., with two teams competing against seven other teams. With the Naval Education and Training Department embracing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) for the Navy JROTC units, it provided funding to purchase drones and encouraged units to develop drone teams and establish competitions.

There were four events in the competition to be completed by all four of the cadet pilots from each team. The Gauntlet Course event is completed by flying a drone through the hallways completing a loop of around 20 obstacles. The Naval Flight Officer (NFO) event was completed by two cadet pilots, one controlling the drone without seeing the drone and the other cadet pilot directing the controlling pilot where to fly. The Maze Runner is a course that includes hallways and steps, with obstacles on both. And the last event was the Predator, a very interesting event. The pilot controlled the drone with their phone using the camera to locate clues to spell out nautical terms. Easley’s remote pilots who competed in the competition were Cadets Willow Armstrong, Zury Melendez, Alex Cochrane, Sarah Romero, Avery Billings, Flor Palomo, Briana Hayes and Arely Franco.

Doyle (Ray) Black, secretary at the Keowee Lodge AFM #79, recently sent the Courier these photos and asked for readers’ help identifying the men pictured. Black found their pictures in some old folders and did not know who they were. If you recognize either of the men, contact Black at (864) 414-2054.

• Veterans invited to American Legion

Veterans in the Liberty area are invited to the next meeting of American Legion Post 67 in Liberty. The Legion meets on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Scout Hut, circle off North Palmetto Street. All veterans are invited.

• Senior Center needs volunteers to help

The Hagood Community/Senior Center needs some help from interested community volunteers to maintain the meal service that is so vital

to the well-being of area seniors. Tragically, the sudden death of kitchen manager and chief cook Debbie Galloway has created the need, and

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