Garnet Squadron robotics students mentored by USC students, parent volunteers
 

Time, Talent and Treasure are all valid, valuable ways to give to a cause. Garnet Squadron, based in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, experiences all three thanks to a mix of dedicated students, parent volunteers and the matching gift programs at some of their places of work.

Garnet Squadron, also known as FIRST Tech Challenge Team no. 11444, is made up of local high school students passionate about robotics and programming. They are involved in FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, a nonprofit organization whose programs teach school-aged children STEM skills through competitions and showcases. Though the Garnet Squadron chapter is only open to students of high school age, they are hosted by Molinaroli College and mentored by parents and current USC students.

One of these parent volunteers is Darrell Shier, whose daughter Athena Shier served as chapter president and graduated from USC with her degree in mechanical engineering in 2025. As a homeschool high school student, her involvement in the program provided valuable community, mentorship and skills experience that formed her decision to pursue engineering as a career.

Darrell Shier, who also majored in engineering when he was in college, found the Garnet Squadron a compelling place to not only flex his technical skills, but also spend time with his daughter and give back to the community. While college students do most of the technical mentoring, parents help with administrative tasks like building schedules, ordering supplies, preparing snacks and outside communications. There is more to this competition than building a robot – there are outside logistics, portfolios to write and speeches to draft, responsibilities that help students round out their skills with the assistance of adult volunteers.

“We taught them project management skills,” Shier says. “The college kids were the real mentors.”

He gives back in another way through a program run by his employer, Dominion Energy, which sets aside money to be donated to nonprofits where employees volunteer. Funds for the Garnet Squadron are used to pay for team travel to competitions, tools and supplies, registration fees and more, providing a path forward that would otherwise be encumbered by obstacles.

The giving of one’s time is an invaluable resource, one that Shier says should be different for everyone depending on preferences and skill level. While there are many ways to make a difference, he encourages everyone to find something that resonates with them.

“Volunteering should be something you enjoy,” he says. “Some people would enjoy cooking at a homeless shelter. But I enjoy working with these kids.”

This work is so important to Shier that he hopes to continue even into retirement. Sharing his skills and expertise with a new generation has been “extremely rewarding,” and he is thrilled with what the Garnet Squadron has accomplished at USC.

“I’ve gotten to work with some amazing students along the way,” he says. “Not only these high school kids, but with some amazing USC students as well.”