UFH: Jenny Beatty

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Thread created automatically to discuss UFH Honoree: Jenny Beatty (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/ufh.php?action=honoreedetail&id=67/).

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Name: Jenny Beatty
Date Honored: 09-15-2008
Years involved w/FIRST: 7
FIRST Team(s): Lockheed Martin/AAI Corporation/BD/Towsontowne Rotary/Tessco &, Parkville High School and Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science (0007), FIRST / Other (0000)
Role: NEMO, Senior Mentor
Quote: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” John Lennon
Bio: Jenny has been a staple of FIRST for many years and has brought much to the table for the teams in the Maryland area, in addition to those throughout the program. To summarize her involvement in short terms she has done it all. When asked Jenny sent in her FIRST resume which consisted of being a Co-Founder of NEMO (the Non-Engineering Mentor Organization), a team mentor on 007, FIRST senior mentor of Maryland, a member of the Chesapeake Regional planning committee, along with many other roles at various events.

One of the toughest questions we ask our honorees is what their fondest FIRST memory is, and as you can imagine with all her experience Jenny provided us with a few.
Watching Team007 cut their plywood robot in half, between matches at the Maryland State Fair and move from last place to the winning alliance.
Having Margaret Flowers say to me “Of course I remember you, you’re the only person who ever asked me for my autograph.”
Being asked to give a presentation on FIRST to NASA interns and then discovering about 1/3 of the room were FIRST alumni. Instead of giving a presentation, I had them do it!
Getting a phone call from the Governor’s Office announcing that the Maryland mentors in FIRST were receiving the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award.

When Jenny was asked about some advice to share she said “Ask for help often from others and accept it with an open mind. Be creative, but also use the resources already out there.” This is sound advice even beyond the FIRST world, as there are always people who are willing to give help. She added that you should “pay attention to the details, deadlines and the paperwork. Your team can show up at a regional with a crate full of parts, and get a robot built, but not if you didn’t complete the shipping forms or the bus reservations.” Which is sound advice and a good reminder that each team should have one person join NEMO.

Jenny has given many presentations on FIRST to outsiders so we asked about what to tell them. She replied that is just as important to figure out how to say it then what to say. “My advice is understand your audience. The elevator speech for FIRST is hard. Tailor it to whomever you are speaking with. If it’s not a formal presentation, start small with the “30-second” explanation. If they are still listening, add another minute, but be prepared to stop. Be sure to allow your audience a way to ask questions and follow-up. Of course, nothing beats explaining while at a competition or watching a team in action during the build season or at a team presentation. But you need to learn to stop before their eyes glaze over. Sometimes our passion for the program and for the students can get in the way.”

With all of her accomplishments and achievements for FIRST we would like to encourage people to take the opportunity to learn from her and our other UFH. Congrats Jenny for being selected as our 61st Unsung FIRST Hero.

Nominated By: confidential

[GaryVoshol]

Yea Jenny - even if there is still no relation. :)

[JaneYoung]

yay!

One of my favorite things to do at the Championship is to watch Jenny walk.
She sometimes has a kind of slow swagger like she is thinking as she walks. What she does is walk the talk.

Jenny has had a profound impact on events, teams, and individuals and I'm one of the individuals. She takes the time to share her wisdom, her experience, and her knowledge, and she is a great role model for what is so good about FIRST.

Besides watching Jenny walk the talk, I love to see her laugh. In her vest. Filled with pockets. Filled with survival items at a FIRST event... and also special goodies and buttons that teams and people give her. Because she is so cool.

Rock on, Jenny, rock on.
Jane

[KathieK]

What can I say about the person who has mentored me most in FIRST? Thank you for listening, for advising me, for letting me go to make my own mistakes. Thank you for being the squeaky wheel, for being the wind beneath my wings, and for introducing me to a whole new world.

Someday we'll figure out how to reach ALL the mentors in FIRST; how to solve ALL the problems with awards; and how to inspire ALL the youth.

CONGRATULATIONS, JENNY! IT'S ABOUT TIME! :)

[JudyVandy]

Couldn't have happened to a better person!

Jenny exemplifies the best that a NEM could be.

Congratulations, Jenny!

[JohnBoucher]

Congrats Jenny,

I find it hard to believe that Jenny has not been UFH 20 times already. She is an inspiration.

[Steve W]

I have had the honour to meet Jenny only a couple of times. Always positive and listening. Jenny you are a shining example of what we all should strive for. Continue the great work and a BIG CONGRATS.:D

[Greg Marra]

Congratulations Jenny! I have looked up to you since I started FIRST. You are an inspiration to many :)

[Beth Sweet]

Wow, what a great list of honorees to bring back UFH!

Jenny, you're a great inspiration to all of FIRST. You work non-stop to try to make everyone be a part of this program, and are truly achieving your goals. Thank you UFH for a great choice!

[Mark McLeod]

Whoohoo!!!
You've been our hero for quite a while now even if we never told you.
Now you know!

Congratulations Jenny!

[Cynette]

Congrats Jenny,

I find it hard to believe that Jenny has not been UFH 20 times already. She is an inspiration.I totally echo these sentiments! You are very deserving of this honor, Jenny. Thank you so much for being there behind the scenes, just doing what you do!

[Bharat Nain]

Congratulations Jenny!

[Libby K]

Congratulations Jenny! You most definitely deserve this honor. I too, am surprised you haven't gotten this already.

[Billfred]

I'm under a similar stupor--Jenny wasn't already named UFH?! Get me some aspirin, as I'm off to go smack my forehead.

Congrats, Jenny! I promise not to stick you in the caption contest again (on weeks I know I'm seeing you ;))

[Akash Rastogi]

I can gladly say that the Chesapeake regional was the best event I went to this year.

Congrats.

Kil-A-Byte post ^_^ 1024

[Barry Bonzack]

I am so glad to see Jenny as an UFH. She has helped out so many teachers and parents. At some point or another we have all had that overwhelmed feeling of needing funds, needing to figure out travel logistics, or confusion over the TIMS. No matter what a team's non-engineering woes are, Jenny is there to help.

[DonRotolo]

There are not many people we all know, whose name is nearly synonymous with FIRST and all it stands for. Jenny is most certainly one of those names. Even people who have never met her can see her impact. I, like previous posters, am astounded that Jenny wasn't UFH several times over, so it is good to see her so honored.

Don

[Anna B.]

Congratulations!
I have not personally met her, from what I can see Jenny is an amazing person. Keep on doing what you're doing, it must be good :)

[Scott Shaw 237]

Congratulations Jenny! Every time I have ever met you, you have been very welcoming and have really helped a lot of us learn what FIRST should really mean to the mentoring community.

[tiffany34990]

Congrats Jenny!! You deserve this award so much for all the things you do and thanks for doing it all!! :)

[DCA Fan]

Many, MANY congrats Jenny! :D

[BandChick]

I don't know what to say that everyone else hasn't already, so congratulations!

[smtoney]

I want to share another side. As the new FIRST Regional Director for Maryland, Jenny has provided me with a fire hose worth of absolutely invaluable information to help me get up to speed where I was lacking. I asked for the information flow and I got it and I will continue to be very grateful for it.

To say that she knows the ins and outs of FIRST would be a VAST understatement! That much I learned REAL fast.

The consensus from conversations I have had over the last few weeks is that if there is someone who cares more about the students and teams and helping them accomplish the vision of FIRST, you would be hard pressed to beat Jenny.

Thanks Jenny,
Stan

[Nate Smith]

From a fellow UFH, I just wanted to stop in and say Congrats...but I will be honest, I've been out of the loop enough these past few years that I don't recognize these recent recipients, but that is going to be changing this year...

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congratulations Jenny!
For some of you newcomers, there is a group of very dedicated FIRST volunteers who work very hard for a system that they truly believe in. Without those volunteers, events would not run smoothly (or sometimes not at all) there would have been no growth, no direction and no vision. There wouldn't be great legacies or history or accomplishment. And there wouldn't be students and adults who witness the passion first hand and say "I wan't to be just like her!" Jenny, I am also surprised you have not been previously honored, we owe you so much more.

[Anne Shade]

Congratulations Jenny!!!!!!

I don't even know where to start. I've had the pleasure of working closely with Jenny over the last 4 years on too many projects to count. Saying she goes above and beyond for FIRST and the teams in Maryland would be an understatement. She has been a great mentor and friend to Steve and I over the last few years. She has also been the one constant representative voice for Maryland throught the FIRST organization. I don't where we would be without Jenny....

[Robyn Needel]

Jenny - CONGRATULATIONS! Yes, I know I'm shouting, but that's how I feel...I am honored to know you as a mentor and a good friend :) The conversations we've shared, the trials and triumphs - I'm with Billfred, I thought you'd have been named UFH long, long ago!

Robyn

[dmlewis]

Congrats, Jenny! You are simply awesome. I'm with Stan ... still dripping wet from being fire-hosed with information, but so very grateful to have role models like Jenny, Pattie, Deb, Janet (and now Stan) to help promote and support teams in Washington, DC! :)

[waialua359]

I had a chance to meet/work with Jenny since we attended Cheasapeake this past season.
What a class act!
Thanks for all of the volunteering that you do since I know money couldnt pay you for the amount that you do.

[Wayne C.]

Jenny Beatty in the UFH !!!

Thats the best news I've heard all week.

She is certainly a standard against which all FIRST mentors can be measured.

Bask in the Glory JB- congratulations.


WC :cool:

[Pat Arnold]

Congratulations on this well deserved recognition Jenny. Thank-you for unimaginable volunteer hours and for co-founding NEMO. It is an invaluable resource to all, but particularly for those like myself (technically challenged ;) )who want to help a FIRST team.

[Rich Kressly]

Congratulations Jenny!

[Michael Sperber]

Jenny, Congratulations!
Well deserved.

[petek]

Congratulations Jenny! Running into you at events is high on my list of Good Things I Look Forward To In FIRST. You've been an inspiration to me since the first time we met in Annapolis. You're a rabble rouser, an organizer, a shoulder to cry on, a boot in the rear end, a philosopher and you do carpets! Hmm, that sounds like a good job description for UFH!

[emmell]

Yay Jenny!!!! I'm glad we are finally officially singing about Jenny. I always look forward to seeing Jenny at Championships in the Volunteer check-in line. As others have said, she definitely is an inspiration to all of us volunteers.

Way to go Jenny. I hope to see you soon you a congratulatory hug.

[RoboMom]

Wow….what an incredible honor this is!
Many thanks to those who continue to mentor me.
This group includes those wonderful people in NEMO who are so generous with their advice, experience and humor.
And the alumni who return to FIRST to mentor teams and as event volunteers, and continue helping behind the scenes. The FIRST staff and Boards really need to listen to them. These FIRSTers have taught me many valuable lessons.
(Not the least of which is that you are never too old to make a total fool of yourself dancing at events. :ahh: )
Hope our paths cross this year!

[Mr MOE]

Jenny:

Extremely well deserved! Way to go! Thanks for doing all you have done for FIRST. Many have been inspired by your efforts.

[Josh Goodman]

Congrats Jenny!

[gabrielse]

Jenny,

Congratulations! I can't think of anyone more deserving. You keep FIRST in Maryland running smoothly and fun for everyone. That's quite an accomplishment.

[Dorienne]

Man, about time this happened! I'm going to get all sappy here, so bear with me.

Miss Jenny,

I can still remember when I was so frustrated and upset that one day at robotics. It was one of the first meetings, and I felt useless. You came right over to me and said "would you like to work with me in business?" I nodded, unsure, but went along with you anyway. You took me under your wing immediately and taught me everything I know. I'll never forget all the kindness and love you've shown me all these years.

I thank you for being such a wonderful mentor to me. You never gave up on me, and always pushed me to do my best, even when I didn't even think I could myself. You let me make my mistakes and try to fix them; when I needed help, you were always there. You taught me how to be a responsible and strong individual, and I honestly doubt I would be where I am today if you had not been there for me.

Congratulations, Mom. You deserve this more than you know.

Love you,
Dorienne Plait