Trotwood-Madison City board recognizes students, teachers and JROTC robotics teams for awards and upcoming competitions

The Trotwood-Madison City School District board recognized multiple students, staff and extracurricular teams during the meeting, highlighting artwork on display at the Dayton Art Institute, a STEM teacher award, athletic accomplishments and national-level success by the district’s JROTC robotics and drone teams.

District staff said students Eva, Olivia, Amina and Alex have artwork on display at the Dayton Art Institute as part of a congressional show; staff noted awards for that show are scheduled for May 4. The board also acknowledged Jamie Priest for indoor track achievements; Preston, identified as the head boys track coach, and coach Kevin Lyons were recognized for coaching support.

Principal Mrs. Harden and Assistant Principal Mrs. Taylor introduced Danielle Cossey (also referenced as Miss Kasey/Cassey in the transcript), who was nominated for a STEM teacher award by colleague Joanne Sheryl and won. Mrs. Harden said Cossey secures grants and resources for robotics and other STEM activities that benefit fourth- and fifth-grade students. Staff said Cossey and some students will present at a STEM conference in May and that there is a summer opportunity for teachers with travel stipends; the district encouraged staff to apply.

Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Graves, the district’s Army JROTC instructor and robotics class instructor, described achievements by the program’s teams. He said the A team, the Astro Rams, were regional champions and had national-level honors (including an "airmanship" award and other mission championships), and that the B team, the Trotwood Unicorn Flyers, placed 12th at All Military Nationals last year as freshmen and this year earned mission- and skills-champion distinctions at multiple competitions. Graves said the program fields three drone teams and one land-robot team and noted operating costs of about $10,000 to $14,000 per year for drone teams before travel. He thanked the community for concession-stand fundraisers and other support and said the teams plan more travel next year, possibly to Missouri and Canada.

Why it matters: The recognitions spotlight district academic and extracurricular programs that engage students in STEM, the arts and athletics and that draw regional and national competition exposure. School leaders said these activities rely on grant funding and local fundraising.

The transcript did not record formal votes tied to the recognitions; the items were acknowledgments and presentations.