When Keaton Spellacy, an 18-year-old student from Woodstock, Georgia, first joined a drone team through his JROTC program, he was immediately drawn to the hands-on challenge of competition. Introduced to robotics and drone programs supported by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), he quickly realized that excitement alone wasn’t enough to succeed when competing. Keaton recognized that teams needed technical knowledge, mentorship, and the confidence to ask the right questions to reach their full potential.

Stepping Into Leadership

That realization pushed Keaton to step forward. As commander of his drone team, he helped transform their approach, moving from competing once a season to competing five times, placing at every event, and qualifying for the national championship, where the team finished third overall.

However, for Keaton, the biggest lessons weren’t just about results. “One of the most important skills I gained through RECF was communication,” he said. “You learn how to explain your ideas, work with partners, and talk with judges. Those skills carry into school, careers, and everything.”

His mom, Danielle, saw that growth firsthand. “He gained confidence,” she shared, “but more importantly, he learned how to advocate, not just for himself, but for his team and for students who needed extra support.”

Turning Competition Into Community Impact

Rather than accept that gap, Keaton built a solution. Last year, he introduced S.T.A.R.S. (STEM-oriented, Technology, Aviation, and Robotics for Scholars), a program that provides middle school students with hands-on STEM experiences, especially in communities with limited access to STEM education and mentorship. Over six months, the program reached more than 80 middle school students, supported by 30 high school mentors, introducing them to robotics, drones, coding, and aviation fundamentals.

The program goes beyond competition prep. Students learn the basics of Python and Java, explore engineering concepts, and connect STEM skills to real-world pathways, especially in aviation. 

Preparing for the Workforce

RECF is giving Keaton and the robotics and drone community the essential skills to succeed. “You can’t compete if you don’t maintain academic excellence,” he said. “You represent your program and your community. That mindset prepares you for the workforce.”

For Keaton, RECF has been more than a competition platform; it’s been a launchpad. He has earned his private pilot license and plans to pursue a professional flight program in college, while continuing his involvement in robotics and mentorship. “I was lucky to have mentors,” he said. “I want to make sure more students get the support to be a success.” His mother noted that the RECF helped connect the dots by showing students there are resources, scholarships, and a community that can help them grow.

As interest in his program continues to grow, Keaton’s impact is already clear and is proving that when students are given guidance and belief, the impact can extend far beyond the competition field.