Congrats UTC WFFA Paul Kloberg

[Mike Schroeder]

I just got word, Paul Kloberg won The Woodie Flowers Finalist Award in UTC tonight, Congratulations to Paul on this long overdue honor

[Alexa Stott]

Congratulations, Paul! You are the most jolly and exuberant man in FIRST.

[Libby K]

CONGRATULATIONS PAUL!!!!!!

He's helped 1923 and all of NJ in SO many ways, and he definitely deserves this.

[The Lucas]

Congrats Paul! I remember meeting you at when 303 and 365 were partners in the finalist alliance (actually lost on a tiebreaker) at Rutgers 2001 (my first regional). Since then I feel like you have been at every competition, because you would almost always drop by and say hi even if your team wasn't there. The WFA is well deserved since you are one of the friendliest and most helpful people in FIRST.

[emnasson303]

Congratulations to Paul Kloberg! Like it has been said, this is long overdue. He started on 303, and my first year in 2000, it was obvious that I wouldn't ever meet anyone more excited about FIRST.

[KathieK]

Congrats to Pauly Robots, well deserved.
The first time I met Paul I was enveloped in a huge bear hug (bear hugs must be a Joisey specialty!) and knew immediately why people always spoke so highly of him. I'm happy I could be there to see him receive this special honor!

[Nitroxextreme]

Congratulations to Paul Kloberg!!! He is truely a great inspiration to everyone that is able to talk to him.

[Athleticgirl389]

Way to go Paul!!!! Very well deserved :)

[Sara Milton]

Congratulations Paul Kloberg!

[dlavery]

Congratulations Paul! This is great, and a very well-deserved honor!

-dave

[Conor Ryan]

Great job Mr. Kloberg! The number of teams you have influenced in New Jersey alone is remarkable, congrats on winning an award named after Woodie himself.

Any word on which team wrote the submission?

[Rich Kressly]

Wow,

Paul is one of my oldest FIRST friends and someone I've always felt was deserving of this recognition. He started 303, he started 1403, he (along with Wayne Cokeley) got so many more NJ teams started it's mind blowing. Where'd the idea and promotion of the "Pre-Rookie" concept come from? Paul and NJ. Who once drove 50+ miles on a snow day to a different school district superintendent's office (who he never had met) to get a signature on a NASA grant form for a new potential rookie? Paul did. Paul was the definition of "Senior Mentor" way before the position ever existed. Oh, yeah, he's a pretty darn good FTA too.

...and let's not forget the thing Paul always reminds us of at competition when things start to get a little stressful, "FIRST: Fun Is Required. So Tolerate!"

[jparkteach]

Congratulations Paul!! Couldn't think of a more deserving person to receive this honor! The team who nominated you should also be congratulated.

[George A.]

Congrats Paul.

Paul took a chance on me and gave me my first chance at doing play by play when 303 hosted their "Frenzy Finale" and he was one of the main influences of my coming back to continue to volunteer. A better candidate for this award would be hard to find.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congratulations Paul,
It's great that you are recognized for the impact you have made on the program and the lives of the students you have touched. This is a great recognition for a really classy guy. I hope to congratulate in person in a few weeks. Good Luck.

[Rosiebotboss]

I met Paul at Championships last year when he gave Dr. Dave Mitchell and I a homework assignment. Paul, we'll get this thing figured out yet....:)

Nice job.

[Mr MOE]

Paul.

All your hard work has been recognized. On behalf of MOE 365, a very heartfelt congratulations!!!!!

[galewind]

Congratulations Paul! I'm so glad that you've finally been given your well-earned recognition.

I know that in NJ, a few teams had submitted him for WFFA, but it was Team 25's submission that earned Paul the award in UTC.

[Rich Wong]

Awesome, congratulations Paul!
You do so much for FIRST in NJ and NYC.

(And thanks to NJ Team 25 for the WFFA submission)

[Mark McLeod]

Congratulations Paul!
Thanks for all your hard work. We really appreciate what you do for us!

[petek]

Congratulations, Paul!

You have had a positive impact on so many people in the FIRST community, it is hard for me to imagine where we would be without you! When I think of "FIRST" and "New Jersey" the next thought is "Paul Kloberg", but the Kloberg Effect covers a much broader area. It would be easier to ask "how many of us throughout the Mid-Atlantic region have not been changed by the Kloberg Effect?" than to ask "Who has?".

I can't imagine a more fitting Woodie Flowers Finalist than you, Paul, and thank you for all that you have done for us.

[pafwl]

Paul, always a smile, always a helping hand, always encouragement. Congratualtions for the recognition, you deserve it.

Note to self: Big hug for Paul...

[nparikh]

Congrats to the man with the 'can-do' attitude. He really was a 'Senior Mentor' before the position or definition, as pointed out before, was created. It has been an honor and a privilege to know Mr. Kloberg.

[BandChick]

Congrats Paul! Thank you for everything you've done for 1089, and for FIRST. Who knows where NJ would be without you!
This is a well-deserved honor, enjoy it!

[Waynep]

Congrats Paul. Your emphasis on catering to MIPs in FIRST really is inspiring. If you don't know what MIPs are, stop and ask Paul. Way to go!
-wayne

[Wayne C.]

I have been very fortunate to call Paul a good friend for the past few years and he is probably the leading advocate for the kids in the whole FIRST world. There is so much behind the scenes that the man is involved with to support a myriad of teams. He always goes to bat tackling problems head-on with the best interests of the kids coming first. The man moves mountains for the entire FIRST community, often to the disapproval of others with their own interests.

Paul is the original Big Kahuna of team 25. He is honorary member emeritus with us and will always be. I know a number of other teams around here think likewise. He was doing the job of senior mentor well before FIRST caught on and created the program. He guides kids and coaches alike and always gives a jolt of enthusiasm to whatever team he works with.

One of his favorite phrases in describing the building of enthusiasm in new rookies is that we need to get them to "drink the Kool-aid". Well Paul is the guy who is mixing the pitcher and we all should be handing out the glasses.

We all appreciate you big guy! Thanks

WC

[RoboMom]

Let’s see-how to describe Paul?
Everything mentioned above.
The guy who understand how you should get from point A to point B, but sometimes it takes you a while to figure out the extraordinary words of wisdom that are nestled in rhetoric road map.
The guy that I can loudly argue with about some of the details (we get hung up on different things) but we always end up agreeing on the big picture.
The guy who can make me burst out belly laughing with just a one-liner.
The guy who is larger than life.
The guy who has taught me more than I want to know about life on a submarine.
And who makes great French toast and is married to someone even nicer than he is.
Congrats!

[Bharat Nain]

A huge congratulations to Paul for this very very long overdue award. Paul has been selfless in serving the FIRST community and he would do whatever it takes to inspire these students. I have been very fortunate to meet Paul in my early years of robotics. As Neil mentioned, he has been a senior mentor long before he officially got this position. I know not of anyone who is more persuasive, consistent, persistent, dedicated and inspiring. I am proudly say team 25 and FIRST is a better place because Paul Kloberg exists. Thank you for existing. You deserve every bit of this honor.