From Team 1114

[Karthik]

Team 1114 had a wonderful Championship experience and would like to thank all those who made it memorable. Thanks go out to, but are not limited to:

Team 70 - We were honoured to be selected by you. Your team exhibited great class throughout the weekend, and were wonderful to work with. Who knows how far we could have gone if your launcher had not of broke. You have a lot to be proud of, keep your heads high and we look forward to working with you again. I'm sorry we couldn't win this.

Team 48 - From the moment the divisions were announced, we knew we wanted to work with you. Our teams have had an amazing relationship over the years, and they were made stronger in Atlanta. You played your hearts out, and I'm sorry we couldn't take you further.

Teams 503, 451 & 1139 - That was an amazing division final. You earned that victory, and represented our division well on Einstein.

Team 1305 - You gave us the scare of our lifetime in the quarters. You proved once again that you had the best defensive robot in all of FIRST. In general your team is the epitome of class, and a model for all of us. By far you are our favourite Canadian team. I cannot wait until our teams cross paths again.

Team 296 - The first ever Canadian Champion. I'm so proud of you for being the team to break through.

Team 217 - The championship could not have gone to a more deserving team. I've spent a lot of time with the Thunder Chickens this year, and they have an amazing program. Paul, you're one of my best friends in this program, if someone was going to win the championship other than us, I'm glad it was you. You are an amazing coach, and an inspirational leader.

Team 111 - You've been inspiring for the past 9 years. Congratulations on a well deserved Chairman's award.

The Team 188 "Honourary Simbots" (Adam McLeod, Jeff Li, Geoff Price, Shankar Manoharan, Carina Chan) - Thank you for joining our team in Atlanta. You are some of best young strategic minds in this program, and you made the entire event much more enjoyable for our entire team. You're always welcome on this ship.

Team 771 - Your email of support on Friday night meant a lot to our team. This year has been hard for us in many ways, but knowing that we've inspired a team like yours makes it all worthwhile.

Team 1114 - I would personally like to thank all the students and mentors on my team. I've said this before, but I really think we have the most amazing crew of people in FIRST. Every time I think of moving on, the energy and determination of all the Simbots keeps me coming back. We must move on from this weekend, and get ready for an even bigger and better year. I love you all.

[Adam McLeod]

A huge thanks is in order from our team to yours, for giving us the opportunity to be 'honorary simbots' for the week. I enjoyed it more and learned more than I ever thought I would, and it was pretty inspiring to see the way in which you conduct business. Everyone was so welcoming, and we've made some good friends who I look forward to seeing at competitions for years to come.

Again, thanks from myself and the rest of Woburn's equivalent to 'team strategy'.

-Adam

(p.s. Congrats on a fantastic season. It was incredible to watch Beckham bend those balls in again and again for three straight competitions.)

(p.p.s. Congrats Derek on breaking any and all of Karthik's coaching records)

(p.p.p.s. Congrats Tyler on the vex win)

[J Flex 188]

Thank you not only for including us in your team's strategic planning and scouting activities but also for providing us with a means of travelling to Atlanta and opportunity for accommodation in Atlanta. It meant very much to me to be able to feel the energy, rhythm and spirit of the Championship event through the eyes of another team since my own did not attend this year. The line between student and mentor is blurred when you work with such dynamic people as the ones found on Simbotics. You find yourself learning and teaching in turn.

Congratulations for having one of the best, if not the best seasons in FIRST history. The old saying goes, there will always be next year. But I feel it has never rung truer at this moment for anyone else besides Team 1114.

[Gene Williams]

An absolute awesome journey for all of our teams.

Team 70 sends out a wonderful thanks to teams 1114 and 48. It was an awesome alliance, the communication and teamwork was there, the drive, determination and spirit were extraordinarily strong and the energy level was off the scale. Yes, it was bittersweet. I too wonder how far we could have gone! Remember we are all winners.

Congratulations on a wonderful season.

[Jessica!]

Awww...we love you Karthik and team 1114

[Shankar M]

Just to echo what Jeff and Adam have already said, thank you so very much for giving us all the opportunity to attend the Championship. It was that much more special for me as it was my first time attending, and there isn't a better group of people I would have liked to have experienced it with.

Congratulations on a tremendous season, this team can only get better come next year. Once again, thank you to the entire team for giving us all the unique opportunity to be part of 1114 for a weekend.

[qhsscience]

Karthik:

I apologize if my intrusion into this particular thread is unwarranted, but I thought it appropriate since it was about thanking people and teams that proved inspirational to you during the championships. We have never met, but once, but I feel like I need to thank you for making part of my Atlanta experience memorable. Your talk at the robotics conference was filled with passion and enthusiasm as well as knowledge...and I know that my teammates "got sick" of hearing how inspired I was after listening to you. FIRST is filled with people that take the level they are at, and work hard at raising it even higher and I hope that the lessons I learned at the conferences help raise team 69 to a higher level. I wish I had the memory to thank every person there that provided me with similar inspiration!

[Hafize]

On behalf of Team 1305 I would like to thank Karthik and 1114 for helping us fix your transmissions. They gave us their spare Andy Mark transmission so we could us the dog. Without the help of Karthik and 1114 we would have missed part of Friday but with their generosity we were able to fix the transmission in time to compete.

1114 is truly a role model team for the FIRST community.

Our team loves yours and can’t wait til we meet again.

Hafize

[Rick-906]

I think we owe Karthik a thank you!
guess who suggested we choose the Thunder Chickens... :)
" if you choose the thunder chickens, you'll make it to einstein"
and we did!

[Richard Wallace]

I think we owe Karthik a thank you!
guess who suggested we choose the Thunder Chickens... :)
" if you choose the thunder chickens, you'll make it to einstein"
and we did!Yet another example demonstrating Karthik's ever-widening knowledge of FIRST teams. He wasn't just saying that 217 is a great team -- far more, he was saying that 296 and 217 were a good fit.

This kind of insight is also what makes Karthik a Championship-class emcee. He knows that there's a story behind every match, and he makes it his business to find out what that story is. Then he tells the audience. Those who saw him at Waterloo and GTR know what I'm talking about.

I hope we'll be seeing Karthik as a Championship division emcee in the very near future.

[Travis Hoffman]

Team 1114 had a wonderful Championship experience and would like to thank all those who made it memorable. Thanks go out to, but are not limited to:

Team 70 - ....You have a lot to be proud of, keep your heads high and we look forward to working with you again. I'm sorry we couldn't win this.

Team 48 - From the moment the divisions were announced, we knew we wanted to work with you. Our teams have had an amazing relationship over the years, and they were made stronger in Atlanta. You played your hearts out, and I'm sorry we couldn't take you further.



When I read his post, I got the impression that Karthik isn't really feeling as Karthik-like as he usually does right now(does that make sense? :) ). Well he probably would be embarrassed to read some of these statements in a public forum, but hey, there are about 1000 of his closest ChiefDelphi friends out there to support the guy whether he needs it or not, so here goes.

Karthik:

Stop apologizing! Team 48 was honored that 70 and 1114 selected us to keep the heat off of you during the Curie elims. Working in the trenches next to two of the most successful and prolific scoring robots in FIRST this season was an amazing experience, and I thank both 70 and 1114 for the opportunity. I am very proud of what we accomplished together, and while it's ok to initially be disappointed that we didn't get as far as we'd have liked, never forget the fun and excitement we experienced along the way. I'll never forget the smiles and downright giddiness displayed on the faces of our usually laid back pit crew students as they watched the events unfold, nor will I forget the extra spring in the steps of some of our alliances' more "youth-challenged" statesmen as they reacted to each and every heart-pounding moment. And I will most definitely never forget watching this bald, brown thin wisp of a human being charging up to us across the sidelines after the semifinals ended waving his hands and shouting "New Strategy!!!!!! New Strategy!!!!!!" as he rallied the troops for our Finals push.

You are so dang passionate, energetic, and competitive, you may view our performance in Atlanta as a failure, and it may be difficult for you to initially come down from that Red Bull-fueled plateau you were operating on in Atlanta. Well your team moved one step closer to Einstein, advancing to the divisional finals for the first time ever (and I think you beat 296 to that Canadian milestone by a matter of minutes :) ), all while completing one of the most successful competition seasons in FIRST history. Along with all the other wonderful hard-working mentors, teachers, parents, and students on 1114, you've guided 1503 and 1680 down the same path, allowing them to share in your success even as they are creating their own. Speaking with some of your sister teams' mentors this weekend, I know they have been inspired to take the next steps toward independence, and that they truly appreciate the foundation you have laid for them. Atlanta revealed to me the true success of the NiagaraFIRST partnership, and it convinced me that you are indeed inspiring everyone on your sister teams to build upon the foundation you've established. Never mind winning that Einstein trophy, THAT is something you can hang your hat on, buddy.

I hope you take the time one day to stop and reflect on just how many young people's lives you've positively influenced throughout your FIRST career in such a short amount of time. What you've accomplished at such a young age is amazing. You've even managed to teach a bunch of the mentors who are older than you a thing or two (or sixty). I thank you and all of 1114 for being such wonderful friends to me and my team and for serving as a great example of what dedicated, passionate people can achieve by working together in the name of FIRST. My team has learned so much from this friendship, and I am thankful I've had the good fortune to get to know you all.

So cheer up! Besides, IRI is coming. Maybe our three teams can reprise our roles and give this another shot? :)


I'd like to extend some addtional thanks and congrats to several before I wrap this up....


Teams 503, 451 & 1139 - Congratulations on a hard-fought victory on Curie.

111 - The most impressive thing about your team is just how many of your alumni now work for Motorola and serve as mentors alongside the old geezers who used to be their mentors back in the day :) . Congratulations on a well-earned Chairman's Award!

296 - Canada represent! It was great to see some of our Northern friends break through and win it all.

217 - Great mentors, great kids, great robot, great team, great victory!

378 - THANKS so much for all your help with the camera and also for your support heading into the eliminations. You have a wonderful team that all of you should truly be proud of.

462 - FINALLY, we were able to sit down for dinner with our sister Delphi Packard team from Mississippi. What a great bunch of people.

Team 1305 - Thank you very much for the use of a few of your batteries during the elims. 48 must make a note to increase the size of our "battery farm" next year.

Ken Patton - Dang if you ain't one of the coolest, easiest guys in the world to talk with. I love well-known mentors (especially WFA's) who still get down and dirty with their teams in the pit. I've seriously enjoyed our conversations this season.

Andy Baker - Thanks for tracking me down on Curie to deliver the last 3XL Dean Simmons shirt you had. It's been a fun year talking with you too....I suppose......:p

Stephanie Thompson from 1503 - Thanks for snatching a Fort Erie pin off of 1680. I now have the complete NiagaraFIRST city pin collection on my SME badge lanyard (remember those?). Yeah, all of you are jealous. Anyway, you're a great leader and I know you're well on your way to guiding 1503 down the path toward greatness. Keep up the good work!

All the FIRST people I met throughout the weekend, especially Saturday evening (and those I have yet to meet) - What a wonderful time spent with amazing group of people. The mentors of this community truly are one big extended FAMILY, and it's great to be a part of it with all of you. Let's keep this thing going!

[travis48elite]

What Travis Hoffman said goes for me too. I might not be good with words but I know what Trav says is the real honest truth. Karthik I have never really had the time to get to introduce myself (bec i was stuck back in the pits working on the robot). But what I have heard about you from Trav I know you enough to say thanks for all you help! So as Build Team Captian of Team 48 I say
:) Thank You For Alll Your Help! :)

[Melonie469]

"You are so dang passionate, energetic, and competitive, you may view our performance in Atlanta as a failure, and it may be difficult for you to initially come down from that Red Bull-fueled plateau you were operating on in Atlanta. Well your team moved one step closer to Einstein, advancing to the divisional finals for the first time ever (and I think you beat 296 to that Canadian milestone by a matter of minutes ), all while completing one of the most successful competition seasons in FIRST history. Along with all the other wonderful hard-working mentors, teachers, parents, and students on 1114, you've guided 1503 and 1680 down the same path, allowing them to share in your success even as they are creating their own. "



I'm so glad I met you during this season, Karthik. It has been a lot of fun and I hope that our teams get to work with each other sometime. You guys had an AWESOME robot this year. Very nicely approached and great strategy for all of the triplets! This is my first year of robotics with 469 and the experience so far has been amazing, and you have contributed to that. I also had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with 1503 and from what I hear, everything is going really good for you guys. 1114 almost made it through Curie, you guys were sooo close! Hopefully I will see you at IRI! Btw, thanks for cheering me up when I was feeling down at the end of our last match on Curie, it really made me feel a lot better. Cya! :D

_Melonie

[Lil' Lavery]

No, Karthik, we, FIRST, thank you. (makes a note to use less commas ;) )

Everyone is saying 296 is the first Canadian champion, but people forget what a member of NiagaraFIRST did more than 24 hours earlier. FIRST Vex Challenge team 268 won the Championship event of FVC friday evening, so Karthik, you still are the first Canadian champions, never forget that. ;)
1114 was one of the final 24 teams remaining in this FIRST season, with more than 1100 teams, that's an AMAZING feat, no ifs, ands, or buts.
Only 3 teams have EVER won 3 regional events in one season, and you're a mentor to the only 2 to win during the alliance era. Think about that, not just one, but two. Most people in FIRST don't have a single gold medal, you have 7 this year alone.
Take a long look at what you have done this year, don't let two silly losses at the end bring you down. 1114 has had one of the greatest seasons ever, and if 25 doesn't start out 31-0, there would be no question about it at all. At least in my opinion, that Regional Chairman's banner you have means alot more than any award you can win on the field, even at Championship.
I really look forward to seeing 1114 once again at IRI, it really has been too long. That machine is beautiful, and breath taking on the field. I expect nothing less from 1114. In just 4 years, you have established yourself amognst the elite teams in FIRST, think about it. I have absolutely no doubt, no doubt at all, that 1114 will win both a Champions Chairman's Award and a Championship, something that only 2 teams have done so far. It may take a little while to capture them both, but it will happen. It took 111 until 2003 to win their first championship, and 254 still hasn't done it. You are absolutely on the same level as those two powerhouses. In 11 years, 116 has NEVER won anything higher than a bronze participation medal, you have only one competition where 1114 hasn't earned more, ever.

FIRST owes you a great big thank you. Karthik, you and 1114 are truly an inspiration to us all, keep on rocking.