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CSM Talons Robotics Advisors Honored for Dedication to Student Success
Faculty advisors to the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Talons Robotics team were honored with flags flown over the Pentagon in recognition of the extraordinary time and mentorship they have shown the team.
The flags were requested by Lee and Jennifer Hernandez, whose son, Immanuel, is a member of the Talons. In May, the flags and accompanying certificates were presented to Talons Faculty Advisors Jim Cleary, Ann Stine, and Brian Warnecke in recognition of their impact on the students in competitions, in the classroom, and beyond.
Lee, a military service member, recognized the importance of outstanding educators. He shared with the advisors how valuable their dedication and support are to the team’s future.
“Being an educator is not easy, neither is being a leader, and the sacrifices you three have made has to be recognized,” Hernandez said. “I’ve had educators like you to push me, and there have been many things I’ve been able to do because of people like that leading me. You’ve been here for these students, and they will take with them everything you have taught them.”
The advisors’ commitment extends well beyond CSM’s campuses to VEX U Robotics tournaments across the country. Last season the team traveled to Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and to the World Championship in Missouri. The flags, Lee said, are a recognition of the time and sacrifices necessary to make these tournaments possible.
Warnecke shared that this recognition reflects how the Talons are about more than robotics competitions. The program makes a lasting difference in the students’ lives and futures.
“It’s about perseverance, mentorship, and giving students opportunities to be part of something meaningful,” Warnecke said. “Working with this team has been the most rewarding part of my time at CSM because I get to watch students grow in confidence, solve difficult problems, and support one another.”
The Talons frequently compete against four-year institutions with established engineering and robotics programs. Cleary echoed how proud he is of the team and that it’s a privilege to watch them show up strong to every tournament. He said every hour they invest is for the students, but as a military veteran, this recognition is a special honor.
“The presentation of the flags was a complete surprise, and it was very meaningful to be recognized for all the time and dedication invested in the team,” Cleary said. “Receiving the flag brought tears to my eyes.”
The VEX U World Championships, which took place in April, wrapped the 2025-2026 season. The Talons finished 33rd in Programming Skills and 45th in Overall World Skills out of 150 competing teams from around the globe.
Stine said she’s proud to watch the team grow in their understanding and demonstrate how much they have learned at each competition, and that the skills they have will take them far into their future engineering careers.
“It has been a blessing working with the robotics teams through the years,” Stine said. “The students are so dedicated to doing well, and I see them use their technical skills and creativity to solve problems. It is closer to real-world engineering than anything we can cover in the classroom.”
The Talons will be working throughout the summer to get the robots ready for the 2026-2027 season. Participation is open to all CSM students, regardless of their area of study. The Talons webpage has more information about the team and how to get involved.