HFC freshman finished in Top 10 in Autonomous Racing League in Abu Dhabi

Through an internship with the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM), HFC student Elijah Elens-Eigbokhan (pronounced “Egg-bo-con”) finished in the Top 10 in the Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) Drone Challenge in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, earlier this year.

Elens-Eigbokhan, of Detroit, was one of several students to be featured in a Nov. 20 article in The Detroit News. The article mentioned that billionaire businessman and philanthropist Roger Penske, founder and chairman of the Penske Corporation, has invested in three BGCSM Industry Clubs that are transforming the lives of young people in Metro Detroit through “strategic philanthropy.”

“This is about putting dollars into highly specific programs that show measurable return on investment. It is a unique approach to economic development that brings together students and real-life business experience – executed so effectively that nonprofits from around the country are studying how to replicate what’s working,” the article read.

A life-changing experience

The BGCSM sponsored Elens-Eigbokhan’s life-changing trip to Abu Dhabi. Elens-Eigbokhan was a member of a team of six students from several high schools in the Detroit Public Schools. The team designed and programmed an autonomous drone.

“Through my 6-month internship at the BGCSM, I learned several coding mechanisms like Python and Terminal Operations. We used those skills to compete in Abu Dhabi. This experience totally strengthened my desire to go into engineering. It made me want to be a part of innovation in the tech world,” he said. “This was a great experience. The scenery was beautiful, I met a lot of new people from all walks of life, and I enjoyed the beauty of many different cultures.”

The eldest of two, Elens-Eigbokhan was born in Riverdale, GA. His family moved to Detroit in 2012. An alumnus of Communication and Media Arts High School in Detroit, he is studying pre-engineering at HFC. The first-year student is a member of the Mathematics Club, the Engineering Club, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at the College. When he graduates from HFC in 2027, Elens-Eigbokhan plans to transfer to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and major in computer engineering.

“Enrolling in HFC was a sound financial decision. I knew there would be more support during office hours. What we learn in class at HFC is relevant to what’s going on in the world today,” he said. “I’ve always been ambitious. I’ve always loved software, hardware, and the possibility of becoming an engineer. It’s been inside me ever since I was young and my mom would enter me in robotics competitions.”

HFC religious studies instructor Dr. Joel Geffen spoke highly of Elens-Eigbokhan.

“Elijah is a highly intelligent and strongly self-motivated student,” said Geffen. “His class project this semester was so well-researched and presented that it served as the capstone experience for the entire class. Elijah has immense potential to reach his highest goals.”