Calumet Middle Schoolers Win Statewide Aerospace Competition

Two Washington Middle School students recently took top honors in a statewide aerospace industry competition.

Seventh-graders Jordan Hicks and Kristen Ylitalo outperformed more than 20 teams in the “Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge,” hosted by the Women of Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan.

Hicks and Ylitalo developed a prototype for a drone system that could detect fires and alert firefighters. Meredith LeBeau and Audra Thurston of Calumet Electronics served as mentors through the four-week competition.

For their efforts, the girls received prize packages that included $500 cash awards.