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The job market is changing and high school needs to change with it. Students need experience with a variety of different tools, to be prepared for their next step. That’s something Cumberland Public Schools Superintendent Chip Jones is well aware of. And it’s why the district staff has worked on a number of different projects, to provide that experience. The latest of those took flight for the first time this past week, as the Cumberland Dukes Drone Teams competed in the Inaugural Battle of the Peaks. 

“Offering unmanned aircrafts (drones) opens up incredible opportunities for students, equipping them with skills and problem-solving,” Jones said. “This hands-on experience not only enhances their understanding of aviation and robotics but also prepares them for high-demand careers in fields such as aerospace, agriculture, public safety, and logistics. By learning to operate and analyze drone technology, students gain a competitive edge in an evolving job market, turning classroom learning into real-world opportunities.”

And that’s what the drone teams are working on, a mix of high school and middle school students led by CumberlandHigh Agriculture and FFA (Future Farmers of America) instructor Josh Fleenor. 

Cumberland Dukes debut in tournament 

The teams headed to Forest Middle School at the beginning of the month to take part in their first drone tournament, a chance to see how far they’ve come in training. 

“Our Greenhorn Top Guns stepped onto the competition floor with excitement, nerves, and a little uncertainty—because, as any pilot knows, the first mission is always the toughest,” Fleenor said. “As I told them before their first flight, it’s not the plane, it’s the pilot. Don’t think—just do!”

And that’s exactly what they did. The need for speed kicked in, and the Dukes came out swinging, scoring 100 points in the first round and securing 4th place!

The competition featured multiple ways for team members to work on their skills. The Cumberland Dukes had chances to showcase what they learned in piloting, coding, teamwork, communication, and automation. 

“This wasn’t just about flying drones—it was about working together, solving problems, and adapting under pressure,” Fleenor said. 

All total, more than 200 “missions” were flown throughout the contest. That includes 82 cooperative team matches, nearly 70 autonomous solo flights and 50 manual solo flights. 

“Both teams fought hard in every round, showcasing their ability to adapt, problem-solve, and collaborate with other teams from across the greater Lynchburg area,” Fleenor said. 

And the hard work paid off, as the Cumberland A Team finished eighth overall and the younger B Team placed 17th in their first tournament. The biggest achievement, however, was that Cumberland earned the Judges’ Award for the tournament. Given to just two teams in the entire competition, the award went to teams that showed outstanding effort and a willingness to learn, as well as good communication skills, high-quality interviews and good teamwork under pressure, as well as good sportsmanship. 

“The judges praised our students for their respect, cooperation, and problem-solving skills,” Fleenor said. “They noted how our pilots were eager to help others, ask questions, and collaborate, setting a high standard for sportsmanship in the competition.”

What’s next for the ‘Drone Dukes’?

Now it’s back to the classroom to work on their skills, as Fleenor said he’s already looking for more competitions to enter the teams into. He also gave a big thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible, from students and parents to the team’s supporters and school administration. 

“We’re proud to represent Cumberland County High School and excited for what’s ahead,” Fleenor said. “Stay tuned as we grow our Unmanned Aircraft Course and continue to provide the youth of Cumberland County the most opportunities possible and put them in position to compete in the world around them.”