DKJA Students Shine in Robotics and Drone Competitions

Students at Donna Klein Jewish Academy (DKJA) continue to demonstrate innovation, resilience, and teamwork through their participation in competitive robotics and drone programs, earning recognition at both regional and national events.

DKJA’s robotics team recently traveled to New York to compete in the CIJE Robotics Competition, where students engaged in a rigorous, hands-on engineering experience. While the team did not take home a trophy, the competition provided an invaluable opportunity to apply the engineering design process in real time.

Throughout the event, students designed, tested, evaluated, and refined their robot, gaining a deeper understanding of how iteration, problem-solving, and adaptability drive success in engineering. Their work required thoughtful adjustments to structure, programming, and strategy, reinforcing that innovation is built through persistence and continuous improvement.

Equally meaningful was the collaborative environment, as students exchanged ideas with peers from other schools and supported one another throughout the competition. The experience left the team energized and motivated to continue refining their designs and exploring new solutions. 

Team members representing DKJA at the CIJE Robotics Competition included Zachary Antman, Eitan Blum, David Lapsker, Aviv Elmakies, Daniel Kegnovich, Ariel Nouhian, Miles Heller, Jacob Raiter, Eli Stave, and Gabe Klein.

DKJA’s drone teams also achieved outstanding success at the Florida State Drone Championship, earning top honors for their performance, professionalism, and technical skill.

The rookie team, Apex Legends, received the First Judges Award along with a $1,000 cash prize. This recognition highlights exceptional effort, perseverance, and professionalism.

Wings of Valor earned the Design and Engineering Award, recognizing excellence in innovation, creativity, and technical achievement.

Team members included:

Wings of Valor: Ariel Nouhian, Aryeh Kaiyalethe, David Lapsker, Eli Stave, Gabriel Klein, and
Max Kessler.
Apex Legends: Ahriel Sastiel, Ethan Markovitz, Jake Hocherman, Lianna Budilov, and Noah
Buchnik.

“These experiences reflect the strength of DKJA’s STEM programming,” said Ilana Traub, DKJA’s Director of Educational Technology. “Our students are not only developing technical skills, but also learning the importance of resilience, collaboration, and creative thinking.”

The program is led by Rhisto Bartolo, whose guidance and dedication continue to support student growth and achievement in robotics and drone technology. 

As DKJA continues to expand opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, students are building the skills and mindset needed to innovate, lead, and make an impact.