pic: DC: Some of my Heroes
 

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Rich -

Despite all the crap that we give you (both deserved and just because you are in arm's reach), I can't think of anyone that deserves this more. You have proven time and time again that an ability to put students first, to be a teacher to both students and adults alike, to be a storehouse of great wisdom, honest humility, and great sense of humor really can all fit in one package. I learn from you every time we talk. Congratulations on the WFFA.

-dave

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I had the sound down in the webcast and was going strictly by Sister Baker's facial expressions. I knew that the award would be given to you solely by the emotion that was being controlled in her holy face. It was a cross between joy and wanting to cry.

In this photo, look how proud everyone is.

Amazing.

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Thought I may post the section of the essay I contributed just to give anyone who doesn't know Rich like I do some insight on how much he deserved the award.

"Rich made me feel right at home during my 3 years with Dawgma. Right from when we started up in 2006, I would have never thought that my first period English teacher would get me involved with the great program that FIRST is. As a transfer into LM my sophomore year, Kressly found me and got me involved, and I am ever greatful for it. He took me under his wing during my time at Lower Merion and I made sure I put in the time to show him how much I appriciated it. Rich drove me not only to be a better student, but a better person as well. There wasn't a meeting I would miss unless school got in the way, Kressly always made sure of that. Education came first no matter what, and its helped me immencely during my first year in College, somewhere I probably wouldn't be if I never met Rich. He truly gets what the program is about and passes it on to all of the members, no matter how involved they are."

Thanks for a great 3 years at Dawgma Kres. I will always be available to any team thanks to your inspiration.

-Chuck

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just so all of you know. Kressly's full entry will be posted on Delphi soon...so look out for it.

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Rich,

I really do have to thank you for the inspiration and help you have provided me as a begin to lead a team for the first time. I looked up to you as a mentor when you were on 103 and never lost sight of that respect when 1712 was founded.

Thanks for the personal help you provided this past fall with the NASA grant and for the model I try to follow as a I continue to move my rookie team into the future. The Philadelphia area lucky to be surrounded by so many WFFA winners in our region for inspiration.

Thanks,
Nate

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I knew we should've ditched NJ for DC. :mad:

Looks like an awesome regional. Def attending next year.

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Would someone care to explain who Sister Baker is?

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Looks to be related to Ozzie Kamen.

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Sister Baker is on a mission from Dean, headed to Kokomo.

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A little bit "Blues Brothers"
A little bit "Sister Act"
and
A little bit "The Flying Nun".

And she had a ruler and knew how to use it.

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Freudian slip?

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Congratulations, Rich. You bring honor to our shared first name, and I bask in the glow of your reflected glory.

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Sister Baker is Andy Baker. Andy is a wonderful role model for everyone and is beloved in the community of FIRST. Mr. Kressly could probably talk for hours, days, weeks, years, regarding the impact that Andy Baker has made on FIRST and the people that have been a part of the incredible journey. It is very difficult not to tease the Baker man about his latest incarnation that is connected to the Blues Brothers theme that FRC 45 has going on this year.

You might also recognize him as the Andy part of AndyMark.

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And if you could get him (her) to pull up those sleeves, the arms were covered with tatoos...

(no wonder Mary keeps the kids at home....)

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Dave,
You look 10-15 years younger than the last time I saw you. Must be your haircut and that sporty new aloha shirt!

Glenn

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Rich:

When many people heard your name read by Andy on the WFA nominees list (a practice that I hope ALL regionals repeat this season), I, and many others, were anxiously hoping you would be recognized. You have done so much for so many people and very deserving of this recognition. On behalf of all of MOE 365, we congratulate you on being the person you are.

Now, how about posting a photo of you wearing a MOE jersey? I think someone has one. :rolleyes:

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Rich,

Congratulations. To put it simply, you were an obvious choice. The essay was well written and the content was incredible.

Paul

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Congrats. Rich from all of the Tigertrons on the WFFA you are very deserving of this!

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Well, thanks for explaining that one to me. And, as an added bonus, I have an idea of who Andy Baker is now! Maybe after the Colorado Regional, I won't feel so out of the loop...

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To complete the Blues Brothers theme, besides Andy the "Penguin" commander, the two pilots on 45 were Jake and Elwood, and the payload specialist was a state trooper.

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Chris,
One way I learned about Mr. Baker and these WFFAs - Rich Kressly, Dina Campagna, and Dave Lavery - was to spend time reading threads that they have participated in, started, or have been highlighted in here in CD. If you go into their profiles in CD, you will find information regarding when they posted or threads they started.

Also, look in the CD-Media section and look for photos that include them. Those often lead to threads that offer insight and value. And finally, look at the top of the page at the quotes. Where it says: more - click on that and it will take you to the people who are quoted. You will find the quotes of some of these folks and clicking on those will lead you to a cornucopia of wisdom, humor, insight, history, and adventure. ChiefDelphi has so much information that can help you feel more in the loop until you have an opportunity to see and to meet these heroes, yourself. (If I'm having a bad day, I click on some of Dave Lavery's quotes. He has amazing insight and he tells it like it is in his Dave Lavery way.)

Here's a good thread that Mr. Kressly started and is a great read.

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Hey, thanks Jane. All I could think of was to Google these guys, and there's apparently several people named Andy Baker that aren't our Andy. And on the up side, my team's got its first regional in... 4 weeks? Eh, still not much longer. Then I aught to have a good idea of what's going on.

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This is a good pic of some great people. I am just sad that the silly nun outfit is a distraction from the attention that Rich should be getting for all of the work he has done over the years. If only this pic was taken on Friday...

Rich, I was honored to have the gift of presenting this award with you, along with 13 outstanding WFFA winners present at the DC Regional. It was cool to see all of these folks gather for your special moment, and even better to see you embrace each of them as you greeted us on the playing field.

This award was definitely the highlight of a wonderful weekend in DC.

Sincerely,
Andy Baker

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Mr. Kressly,

Congratulations on this great award. Writing the winning essay for John last year, and seeing how much it meant to him, I can only imagine how you must feel. You are definitely deserving of this honor. Even as a student from a state across the country, you've aided me in several different things. You words always seem to bring an aura of optimism with them. The students on your team are gifted to have such a great mentor.

I thank you for all you've helped me with, and again, congratulations on the ever so deserved WFFA. Good luck to your essay on the national level!

-Parker

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Nun outfit? ;)

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When you figure it out, please let the rest of us know. Sometimes when you are fighting a balky autonomous routine in the middle of the night (which you find out the next day was caused by the inscrutable removal of a sensor which was RIGHT THERE before someone removed it to get at something else) it's good to remember what this is about.

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Parker,
Thanks for the kind words. To me this is one of the coolest things about FIRST in general and about the CD community more specifically. The fact that we have the opportunity to solve hard problems and share knowledge in such a global way means we have many opportunities to have a positive impact upon one another across distances that were previously seen as obstacles to communication. Believe me when I say I've most assuredly learned more from you and 148 that you possibly could have learned from me.

namaste.

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This is the final entry Team 1712 put together for Mr. Kressly at the DC Regional 2009. Click Here!

:D

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Meeting you in Atlanta was one of my coolest memories of the event and my FIRST career so far. Thank you for all that you do.