El Paso Military Kids Dominate Texas State Drone Competition

El Paso, we love a good success story, but we love a hometown underdog story even more. Two local brothers just proved they have serious skills on the state stage, and now they need the Sun City to help them take over the nation’s capital.

8th grader, Dante Cocchiola, and 7th grader, Mason Cocchiola, are students at Spec. Rafael Hernando III Middle School, they are phenomenal STEM minds, and the best part is, they are brothers.

They also happen to be proud military kids, which means discipline, resilience, and an absolute refusal to back down from a challenge which is why they are asking for the communities help to get them to represent El Paso at the 2026 National TSA Conference in Washington, D.C!

Courtesy: Hernando Middle School

El Paso Brother’s Won’t Let Lack of Funding Stop Them

The dynamic duo just snagged 2nd place in the Middle School Drone Competition at the Texas State TSA Conference, beating out 18 of the most skilled tech teams in the entire state.

Because of this win, they’ve officially qualified for the 2026 National TSA Conference in Washington, D.C.this June. But to get these brothers and their drones to the main stage, they need some financial assistance.

Dante and Mason have spent countless after-school hours balancing STEM coursework, intense flight practices, and technical documentation all while maintaining top-tier grades.

Growing up in a military family means adapting to change and putting in the work. These brothers have poured their hearts into perfecting their drone design, and they are ready to show the entire country what El Paso youth are capable of.

They aren't just representing their middle school; they are representing every military-connected family in our community.

Courtesy: Hernando Middle School

The Final Hurdle: Reaching the $3,000 Goal

They’ve got the brains, they’ve got the trophies, and they’ve got the drive. The only thing they’re missing is the funding. Unfortunetely, we all know that our local school districts do not have funding right now to support all the things they wish they could.

To offset the travel, lodging, and competition costs for the national event from June 22-26, the brother’s need to raise $3,000.

If you or your business are looking for a sign to invest in the future, this is it. Military youth sacrifice a lot. Your backing gives these incredibly dedicated brothers a well-deserved spotlight on a massive stage.

How to Help Right Now

Every dollar counts, and you can even sponsor specific line items to get the ball rolling:

Conference Registration: $440
Overall Chapter Goal: $3,000

Let's make sure these brothers get to pack their bags for D.C. to show that El Paso is full of so many talented and smart children! If you would like to contribute, email Antonio Terraza at aterra06@sisd.net.