[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING SOLANCO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE AT THE 
                      2025 STUDENT DRONE CHALLENGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LLOYD SMUCKER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 8, 2026

  Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize and congratulate 
Solanco High School students Robert Baxter, Lucas Vilk, and Caleb Reed 
on their success in the 2025 Student Drone Challenge.
  The Student Drone Challenge is hosted by the Interaction of Ionizing 
Radiation with Matter University Research Alliance (IIRM-URA), which is 
a collaborative partnership between universities, laboratories, and 
industrial companies. Funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 
the IIRM-URA's primary concern is to mitigate threats against weapons 
of mass destruction. The competition is an opportunity for students to 
learn and engage in the fields that IIRM-URA supports.
  The 2025 challenge involved a virtual drone simulation where students 
conducted reconnaissance to identify radiological threats in a building 
captured by friendly forces. Pitting over 800 competitors including 
those from university, high school, and middle school--the Solanco High 
School students took the top spots on the podium. Robert Baxter placed 
1st overall, Lucas Vilk placed 2nd for high school students, and Caleb 
Reed placed 3rd for high school students.
  I am grateful for educational programs that broaden our students' 
horizons. I congratulate the winning students, and I look forward to 
what their bright futures hold.

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