Isle of Wight County Schools (IWCS) proudly sent an impressive lineup of student teams to the Virginia KidWind/Solar Challenge State Competition, held April 12 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. The event brought together the top-performing renewable energy student teams from across the Commonwealth.
Representing IWCS were four high school wind teams, three middle school wind teams, two high school solar teams, and three middle school solar teams. Following an intense day of testing, problem-solving, and presentations, three high school wind teams from Isle of Wight earned invitations to the World KidWind Competition in Phoenix, Arizona, May 18–21 — more than any other school division in Virginia.
Team Goon Squad from Smithfield High School shattered records in the wind tunnel with an electrical output of 196 joules in 30 seconds, earning first place and the Gold Turbine Blade trophy, along with a $300 cash prize. Team Members are Katie Gallahorn, Seneca Register, Andrew Shipman, Sophie Shipman, and Vyncent Simpson.
Team Blown Away claimed second place and a $200 cash prize for their high-performance turbine and outstanding presentation. Team Members include Hayden Williams, Draven Munro, Jeremiah Pettaway, and Collin Phillips.
Team Wind Storm, made up of Smithfield High students Jack Rowe, Camden Lawrence, and Brody Syring, took a unique route to the World stage. After narrowly missing a state invitation in regional competition, they submitted their turbine and engineering data to the National Online Challenge and won a national invitation to Worlds.
Additional SHS competitors included the Wizards of Wind team of Brennan Thompson, Ethan Whitlow, Logan Taylor, and Kollin Hicks. The two SHS solar teams were The Bluebird Project with Will Flythe, Aiden Montgomery, Vincent JaimeSawyer, Evelyn Newman, and Jaydon Ruffin, and The Parker Brothers “Off-the-Grid” Farm with Kyle and Ayden Parker.
High school coaches are Heather Greer and BreeAnna Frye.
Smithfield Middle School showcased strong talent at the state level with six teams across both wind and solar divisions. All teams were coached by Danielle Joyner.
Wind teams were:
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The Breezy Bros – 1st place at regionals
Kevin Breland, Brysen Regnet, Colin Stephenson, Ben Stimpson -
The Airbenders – 2nd place at regionals
Madison Bogard, Amare Brown, Landon Gibbs, Harlee Hubbard, Easton Saunders -
The Chill Guys – 3rd place at regionals
Het Purohit, Lucas Sistare, Luke Waycaster
Solar teams were:
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Wind and Thunder – 1st place at regionals
Kevin Richtberg, Austin Thomas, Adam Agourram -
La Squadra – 2nd place at regionals
Britton Hoffman, Shayne Lucas, Ryan Morton, Blake Williford -
Mad Scientists – 3rd place at regionals
Avari Barefoot, Sophia Hodges, Sydney Shipe
The KidWind and Solar Challenges are national programs that encourage students to explore renewable energy through hands-on engineering, creativity, and teamwork. Competitions are judged based on turbine or solar panel performance, presentations, and instant engineering challenges.
Isle of Wight County Schools congratulates all student participants and coaches for their outstanding achievements and looks forward to cheering on the three World-qualifying teams at the national competition in Phoenix.