Great story about hardwork and dedication

[Bharat Nain]

Thanks for sharing this story Chris. I hope this story serves as a form of inspiration to all students (and mentors) participating in FIRST. This is the form of dedication that makes us great.

[Adam Freeman]

Originally Posted by Meredith Novak

To expand on Adam's sentiment: I am sure he has a bright future.

Thanks for posting, Chris.

(Still waiting on the Hall of Fame vandalism picture. )

Ahh... yes for sure. I am almost never looking at a big enough picture.

Thank you!

[Mr MOE]

Chris:

Fantastic story. Ricky - thanks for inspiring the rest of us!

If only it wasn't our alliance (364, 365, 1986) that was on the other side of the field for those first few matches!

Congratulations on your Curie Division win and for representing our division well on Einstein!

[Chris Hibner]

Originally Posted by Adam Freeman

Congratulations to Ricky for staying prepared. If you still have eligability left, I am sure you have a bright future as an FRC driver/operator.

Part of what made this story so special is that Ricky is a senior and this was his last shot. It was nice for him that he got his chance, and even sweeter when it occurred in the last possible chance.

Daveonna is a senior, too. In fact, all of our drive team were seniors. Back to the drawing board for next year!

Originally Posted by Stuart2054

Thanks so much for sharing this. It is very moving and inspirational and I will be sharing it with our team. Congratulations on Einstein.

Awesome Job Ricky!!!

Congratulations on your big award at the championship. I always watch you guys closely, and I've been wanting to talk to someone on your team for a while. "Why?" you ask. Because my brother-in-law is on the Hopkins school board and his daughter will be starting high school next year. You guys should recruit her for the team next year - it's always good to have supporters on the school board with a personal stake in the team.

[Mike Martus]

Another side note.......

Sunday Evening late before we left for St. Louis ( past 9:30 is late for me) Ricky called to say " I'm ready Martus, you can put me in". My response was that Daveonna run the arm all season she was the first choice.....

Did he know something?

Boy was I glad he was prepared! Thanks Ricky!

[Chris Fultz]

I am inspired.

[Josh Murphy]

It just goes to show that you should always be ready for your number to be called. I am honored to have been apart of it. Ricky you rock!!!!

[Travis Hoffman]

This story was passed on to my team as well. Outstanding!

This is one of those things that could be immortalized in song by some FIRST-related...band...or something.

"Hey Ricky, you're so fine...."

[nlknauss]

Awesome story, thanks for this!

You're the man Ricky...a great story and wonderful lesson for our students.

Nate

[DonRotolo]

Best.
Story.
Ever.

That is just so cool, so inspiring, so... I'm at a loss for words. Wow.

[philso]

Dedication is dedication, no matter where Ricky put in his hours of practice.

Congratulations to Ricky for taking the initiative to do what was needed even though there was no sure reward.

This story makes me think of the movie "Rudy" with Sean Astin (before he became a hobbit).