Congrats to Don Rotolo!

[galewind]

HUGE Congratulations to Don Rotolo for the Woodie Flowers Finalist Award for the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Robotics District Championship!

Don has been a mentor for team 1676 since its inception 8 years ago, and has been their WFFA nominee for all 8 years! So congrats on the award that has been a long-time coming!

He is an incredibly well-deserving communicator, who respects and listens to students and mentors alike. He shares valuable information with other teams, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. He is incredibly encouraging, both in person and online (I first "met" him through congratulatory posts here on CD).

It was an absolute honor to have the opportunity to participate in the awards ceremony to add such a tremendous asset to MAR into the motley WFFA crew we have in the region.

Congrats to Don and to 1676 for this well-deserved award!

[Brandon Holley]

Big congrats to Don and 1676. Extremely well deserved.

-Brando

[ebarker]

yay Don !!

[nlknauss]

Huge congrats Don! After getting to know you more and more over our last few encounters have really enjoyed your thoughts and perspectives on many things FRC. Certainly someone for mentors and students (future mentors:) ) to look up to!

[tim-tim]

Congratulations Don!!!! This is a well deserved award.

You have always impressed me during our interactions in the 2007 and 2008 NJ regionals, and the 2011 VA regional. Congrats again Don, and (hopefully) see you in St. Louis!

[Billfred]

Congratulations, Don! One of the best pit neighbors one can ask for. :)

[IndySam]

That's awesome, congrats Don!

[George A.]

Congrats Don!

Am I the only one who is amazed he hasn't already won it.?!?!

[JaneYoung]

Looks like somebody deserves a box of chocolate covered maraschino cherries. :)

Congratulations, Don! I hope to find you in St. Louis and congratulate you in person!

This is great news.

Jane

[SteveGPage]

Congratulations, Don! Well deserved! That is awesome!

[Justin Montois]

Congrats Don! That is awesome news, so happy for you.

[vhcook]

Congrats Don!

Am I the only one who is amazed he hasn't already won it.?!?!

I'm equally amazed. Congratulations, Don!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congrats Don and welcome to the fold.

[GaryVoshol]

I'll add my congratulations. Great job.

[mhayon]

I have to echo the congratulations. I was going to start a post on this topic, but the fact that one already exists speaks volumes for Don's impact on the FIRST community.

I first met Don in 2005 (well, he was my neighbor first, but first time with respect to FIRST). Someone approached me and told me that this Don's company was interested in working with a high school to join this thing called FIRST. One night that week, I went to Don's company, where I sat in a room of the company's employees. Two volunteers from the state introduced FIRST and the benefits on the community. (Don was in that room, of course).

Fast forward to build season. Probably a dozen employees showed up to our first meeting. The number got whittled down every week. By the end of that week, the number of mentors from that company was down to one-- Don.

The next year, Don's company ended its partnership with the team. These things happen. But remarkably, Don kept mentoring the team, spending hundreds and thousands of hours mentoring a team that his company wasn't involved in, that he didn't have a child on. Rather, just because he enjoyed it.

And even more remarkably, Don returned to work with the team every single year after that. Yes, all 8 years the team has been in existence. And he has never waivered in his contributions to the team. We could probably count on one hand how many days of the build season and/or competitions Don has not been to in those 8 years.

To date, there has not been a 1676 without Don. For everything 1676 is known for, Don has been a major part.

Everyone that is currently working with the team or has ever been with the team, or just are related to the team, are exceedingly proud of Don.

"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants" - Isaac Newton, 1676

[MadeAtMidnight]

I'll add my congratulations too!!!

[BigJ]

Congratulations!

All of (1676 - 1) is very happy for you!

[techhelpbb]

Don and I have crossed paths a few times and I think he absolutely deserves recognition for his contributions to this community. He's a great guy and I wish him congratulations on his achievement and as always the best of luck to him and 1676 in all their ventures.

[Andrew Lawrence]

Congratulations Don! You deserved it!

[Tetraman]

YAY! Such an honor for such a deserving person. Congrats.

[Cynette]

Congratulations, Don! That is truly awesome!

[nuggetsyl]

Don was the perfect person to win this award. See you at champs.

[Team 2016]

Congrats to Don from Team 2016!! You definitely deserve this. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and your team.
See you in St. Louis!! :D

[Phalanx]

After 8 years of sharing an outstanding FIRST working relationship with him, I can't begin to say enough about how awesome and truly deserving Don is.

Congratulations Again, Don. You are indeed a Woodie Flowers Award winner in every aspect.

[Dancin103]

Well deserved Don, so happy for you!!! :D

[Barry Bonzack]

Huge Congrats, Don! This honor is well deserved.

[IKE]

Congratulations!

[Katie_UPS]

Congrats Don!

Am I the only one who is amazed he hasn't already won it.?!?!

I actually thought he already did, and this thread was for some award outside of FIRST.

Congrats Don! So happy to see you getting recognition for all your hard work!

[JudyVandy]

Congratulations! It's well deserved!

[Clem1640]

Don,
Good luck. We are behind you 100% (more if needed)!

[rotolomi]

Thank you to everyone offering congratulations! He was very pleasantly surprised when he found out this thread existed, and this award means so much to him. My dad is the smartest man I know, and I couldn't have been more excited and proud to hear his name announced :)

[DonRotolo]

Thanks to everyone, I'm humbled by all the attention.

Sometimes you don't see your own impact, someone has to point it out to you. I just do it because that's the fun. I guess the kids see it differently. Interacting with high-schoolers keeps me thinking young, and listening to awesome music.

I am truly elated, but there is a darker side: As cool as this award is, nobody outside FIRST really gets it. Work was like "gee, that's nice. Congratulations", kind of a letdown. Same with extended family. Ah well, I have a third family right here...:)

Don

[ebarker]

As cool as this award is, nobody outside FIRST really gets it. Work was like "gee, that's nice. Congratulations", kind of a letdown. Same with extended family. Ah well, I have a third family right here...:)

Don

Hey Don, if the award doesn't impress the non-FIRST friends and family, just tell them you have your own "inter-web thread" - tell them you are like a Chuck Norris on the internet !!

Congrats

[Ian Curtis]

I am truly elated, but there is a darker side: As cool as this award is, nobody outside FIRST really gets it. Work was like "gee, that's nice. Congratulations", kind of a letdown. Same with extended family. Ah well, I have a third family right here...:)

I think Taylor Mali translates quite well here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpog1_NFd2Q) (Minor Language)

On a less serious note I can understand their confusion, the award is a mobius ball bearing after all... hard to think of something less useful! :D

[Sciwizrd]

Don, I'm thrilled for you! Congratulations. From the wonderful conversation you and I had that very afternoon, as well as my discussion later that evening with Michael, I can so see how you deserve this. Thanks for all you do.

Wish you continued fun and success.

Best,
Robin

[rsisk]

Don Rotolo = a whole lot of awesome

Congratulations!

As cool as this award is, nobody outside FIRST really gets it. Work was like "gee, that's nice. Congratulations", kind of a letdown. Same with extended family. Ah well, I have a third family right here...:)
Don

^ Looks like we still have some work to get done. Inspiration: A+, Recognition: Needs Improvement, Science and Technology: GO!

[Skinkworks]

Don, you are completely amazing. Our robot would not be where it is without your hours of helping us get our pneumatics working (Your pneumatics guy is awesome too).

I hope your infectious, unending optimism spreads to every person involved in FIRST.