UFH: Jessica Jankowitsch

[CD47-Bot]

Thread created automatically to discuss UFH Honoree: Jessica Jankowitsch (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/ufh.php?action=honoreedetail&id=70/).

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/ufh/image/1226949050jess_jpg.jpg (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/ufh.php?action=honoreedetail&id=70)

[Akash Rastogi]

Woot!

Let me be the first to congratulate you on CD!

Btw..was there no essay? I always love reading them :(

edit: nvm its there now.

[Arefin Bari]

There aren't enough words that can express Jess's contribution to the FIRST community.

Congratulations Jess. :)

[Sam Cat]

Wow Jess - Congrats! You completely deserve this :-)

You've done an amazing job helping the teams and giving life to FIRST Pittsburgh. In the short time I've been working with you, I've been amazed at just how much time (not to mention soul, blood, seat, tears, etc.) you dedicate to the FIRST community.

I'm so happy for you. This is extremely well-deserved :-)

[BandChick]

Yay Jess! I love you much! <3
Here's to those days when we were high school kids gabbing in 103's pit.
And here's to many more times shared together as FSMs and beyond!

Congratulations!!

[KathieK]

Jess is always on the FIRST Senior Mentor teleconferences, offering advice, stepping up to volunteer when we ask, and is a great contributor. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

[Tottanka]

I don't know Jess, but i am sure this is very well deserved, and am very happy to see young, ex First team members following up this path and becoming important parts of the organization and of influecing kids towards Science and Technology.

Congratulations!

[Bharat Nain]

For someone with such a big heart, incredible work ethic and intense passion, this is well deserved. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. It is quite an honor to call you "mom", "energizer bunny", and "best friend". FIRST is lucky to have you so enjoy your 15 days of well-deserved fame and recognition.

[techtiger1]

Jessica its about time the whole FIRST community got to hear about you, your one of its well kept secrets. I don't have enough words to express "Jess" as we know her. She is a person always working to better herself, the community of FIRST and helping out others. Congratulations to a very deserving UFH winner.

-Drew

[RoboMom]

Multi-tasking extraordinaire!
A shiny example of a FIRST alumna who has stayed involved; in fact, has gotten even more involved.
How she does all she does AND is able to keep up with her university studies is beyond my tired mind.
You go girl. You are a gem.

[Greg Needel]

Congrats Jess! It seems like so long ago when we met at IRI and you have done so much for this program. This honor is much deserved.


Just watch out for those boys bathrooms:P

[Rich Kressly]

I could write way too much here.
Congrats Jess ... very, very well deserved :)

[dlavery]

Absolutely awesome choice! Congratulations Jess, you certainly deserve it.

-dave


.

[Koko Ed]

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/img/5b3/5b3bdc9848000336f3a9855cbeb60b11_m.jpg
This picture say more about Jess than a million words could. She is the uber-multitasker. Just think where the Pittsburgh regional would be without Jess.
Congrats Ma (and make sure everybody's off the field before starting a match ;P).

[jgannon]

Jessjank has been a tremendous asset to the Pittsburgh region, and I've been very fortunate to call her both a friend and colleague. Congratulations.

[Team 1708 Dave]

Congratulations Jess!! I’ve only known you for a season but your reputation seems to span the universe. Your very impressive and an asset to the FIRST Community. Thank YOU for your commitment and it's been a pleasure to work with you.

[Kyle]

First off, Congratulations! Second, this comes as no surprise to me, I met Jess my first year in FIRST and have been honored to be friends with her since then. Jessica's passion and enthusiasm for FIRST is truly amazing. Very well deserved, next step is regional WFA!

[Libby K]

Congratulations Jess! :) You definitely deserve it!

[Barry Bonzack]

This is a very well deserved award, big congrats to Jess!

[mayhemscout1519]

Congratulations Jess on a hard earned and well deserved award!

[Travis Hoffman]

Congratulations Jess! You definitely contribute greatly to the Pittsburgh Regional's life force, and I appreciate your efforts to recognize the mentors of the teams who attend. The personalized mentor thank you certificates you handed out last year were very special, and even moreso was the Mentor's Parade you coordinated at the end of the competition. Thanks for bringing so much energy and applying it where it is needed most!

[DanDon]

Jess is an awesome mentor, an awesome friend, and just an all around awesome person whom everyone learns to appreciate within a short time of meeting her. She has contributed greatly to the Pittsburgh region both to teams and the regional itself by investing a huge amount of time in everything she could. Be it the efforts to recognize the mentors at the regional, going from team to team and helping out with whatever she was able to, or heading the volunteering efforts for the competition, the efforts are all noticeable and outstanding.

Congratulations on a well-deserved and awesome award Jess!:)

[Beth Sweet]

What a great choice! I've been lucky enough to get to know Jess a bit over the last few years and she's a great selection for a FIRST heroine. If there are any high schoolers, especially young ladies, looking for a role model, Jess is a great choice. Congrats missy!

[Nate Smith]

Congrats Jess! I had the pleasure of meeting her at training/orientation at FIRST back in September, and even then, it was obvious how dedicated and knowledgeable she was about FIRST.

Welcome to the club!

[EricVanWyk]

I think my favorite part of UFH is that it provides me with an easy way to create my list of people I need to meet at the Championship.

[Liz Smith]

Congrats Jess, you deserve it.

Jess puts her time, effort, and heart into to FIRST in Pittsburgh and it shows.

[petek]

I am overjoyed to see Jess recognized with this honor. She is such an incredibly dedicated, friendly, energetic, frenetic, caring, powerful, motivating and (did someone mention energetic?) terrific human being whom I've had the good fortune to know since she was my daughter's BFF in elementary school.

I had to chuckle when I read this quote in Bharat's nomination:
she said “Whenever I start talking to someone new to FIRST – a potential sponsor, mentor, or student member - the definition I often supply is that it’s multifaceted robotics competition that provides unique experiences and opportunities to students in hopes of inspiring them to recognize the importance of science, technology, and other real world domains… but in reality it is much more than that. It is about meeting and collaborating with other people who share your passions, and exciting those around you to make an impact on their community and develop bright, promising futures.”
Now imagine her telling you that in about 15 seconds and one breath. That's Jess. It's a wonder that she never, ever, runs out of breath.

By the way, I take full responsibility for throwing her in the deep end of Pit Admin in Pittsburgh in 2006. I was a rookie FTA, the regional was critically understaffed and I was calling on friends to help out. Jess was a natural for that job and I'm happy that maybe it helped kick-start her rise to her current positions in FIRST. I really didn't have to twist her arm very hard.

I'm glad to know that Pittsburgh has Jess Jankowitsch making things happen and look forward to working with Mother Jess out there at the 2009 regional.

Petek

[ChristinaR]

Jess, you're awesome. You put such an incredible amount of work and heart into this organization. Your enthusiasm is so, so, so, so contagious. Your impact is clear, not just in Pittsburgh, but in all of FIRST. This is a long overdue, extremely well-deserved honor. Congratulations!

I couldn't have asked for a better mother-in-law. :D
And hopefully you've forgiven Bharat for nominating you by now. :p

[Ellery]

Congratulations Jess on a well deserved recognition. Our community is proud to have people like you with the passion and drive for this program.

I don't get to travel around as much as Ed does but someday we'll meet in person!

Keep up the great work!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congratulations Jess!
For those who are new to our program, it is the behind the scenes people like Jess who make this competition happen. Keep up the great work you do.

[nparikh]

I was first introduced to Jess through a mutual friend (Bharat) and I have to say my life has changed since then. As a friend, peer, and practically a sister, she has influenced me in ways beyond what she can imagine. An incredible asset to FIRST, I don't know what we'd do without her. Her incredible energy, focus, dedication, and ability to inspire others is unmatched amongst her peers and she is a role model for many generations to come. I think many of us will strive to be the caring, kind-hearted, and truly amazing person Jess is.

Cheers, Jess! You truly deserve this!

[Mr MOE]

Jess:

On behalf of MOE 365, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Our team gives a MOE cheer to you.

Clap-Clap Clap-Clap-Clap Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap GO JESS! :D

Well deserved recognition!

[dmlewis]

Congratulations, Jess! You done good! :)

Denise M. Lewis
FIRST Senior Mentor - District of Columbia

[George A.]

Congrats Jess,

I can't remember when we first met, but I do know that having you at competitions always makes them more interesting.

[JudyVandy]

Way to go, girl!!!!

Congratulations! It's well deserved.

[KelliV]

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!! You deserve it! You work harder than a lot of people in FIRST and you are the definition of UFH!

[Dorienne]

Mom!

Congratulations, sweetheart! I'm so proud of you. You've always been so passionate about FIRST, and I'm so happy that people can now see how much work you've put into this wonderful program.

I love you!

[jessjank.]

(Sorry for the delay in response – lack of internet access at home during breaks is always a pain!)

I really, truly appreciate all your thoughtful congratulations. This recognition means a lot to me and I hope that it serves to motivate other young FIRST alum not only to stay involved, but also to delve into more active roles in the program. I know how important my experience was as a team member and that it’s absolutely imperative to make sure other students are provided with similar the opportunities. Without all of you who I call my heroes - my FIRST mentors as a student member and those who have continued to take me under their wing today, friends (many who call me mom, even though I’m fairly certain I’m much too young for that, haha…), and all those I’ve had the chance to work within the Pittsburgh FIRST community and beyond - I certainly would not have had all those amazing opportunities in FIRST and the possibilities of making impacts that have come about over the years. Thank you to all of you who have supported and encouraged me during my time in FIRST. You have all helped to make my time in FIRST by far one of the most worthwhile and enriching experiences of my life. You don’t know how much I have valued your advice and been inspired by your commitment to this program. Someday I hope to be as awesome as so many of you!

Thanks again everyone! I hope you all have an exciting kickoff, not too exhausting build, and a very rewarding competition season! See you all in 2009! :)

[fixermark]

I've had the privilege of working with Jess as a volunteer for several years now, and am very much looking forward to the 2009 season!

As a volunteer, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of FIRST---the number of unique challenges that come with every single day. Jess does an excellent job of keeping us in the loop, supporting our needs and our teams' needs, and generally making the entire crazy project feel... possible.

Thank you for all your hard work, Jess. We really couldn't do it without you.

[Mr. D]

I am remiss in responding to this award and do apologize.

Jess, you are by far the best inspiration anyone could ever have of the SPIRIT of FIRST. Our team and Pittsburgh in general have benefited from your dedication and love for this noble endeavor.

Nothing I write could come close to the gratitude and admiration I have for you and your contribution to TEAM 1708 and Pittsburgh.

You are the daughter I never had and consider it an honor to call you friend and part of my family.

Mike, Tootie and Mike Jr.