Re: Congratulations John Novak -- 2009 Championship WFA
 

John,
Congratulations!! You and your family are an inspiration to all of us involved in FIRST.

Re: Congratulations John Novak -- 2009 Championship WFA
 

Congratulations, Mr. Novak.

One of the marvelous aspects of FRC 16 is the team's eagerness. It is an eagerness to continue to grow, to improve, to develop. I learned this first hand at IRI when talking with the mentors and the students in the pits and it is a special memory for me. When I heard that you had been awarded the 2009 Championship WFA, it reminded me again of the joy and eagerness that can be found in Bomb Squad, alongside the depth of experience and expertise.

All the best to you and your family, team, and community in celebrating this achievement.

Jane

Re: Congratulations John Novak -- 2009 Championship WFA
 

I am still overwhelmed by the selection for the WFA. Although I have been a part of every Bomb Squad team and at almost every event since 1996, five years ago when a few of us determined to carry on our team with whatever support we could muster started a whole different journey. I'll never forget the inaugural Boilermaker regional where I won the original WFFA. I owe so much to the school sponsors, an alumni that drove hours to help, and the kids who worked so hard to make it there. Now the sponsors are retired and most of the kids are nearing graduation with engineering degrees but they are all still so special to me.

Without my family I would never have been able to be there for the team. Meredith's tireless efforts to keep everything organized and push everyone to do their best and most of all to give up so much of our time to be able to get everything done has been absolutely vital. Raul summed it up pretty well with the FIRST family comment. Hardly a day goes by throughout the year without some FIRST interaction. It's such a blessing to have partners in the venture.

Some of our Science and Technology group members and a few of my colleagues have put a lot time and effort into leading the team back to competitiveness and I thank them so much for their support.

I want to thank the many people that stopped to congratulate me throughout last weekend in Atlanta. Many of you I have known of over the years but never have talked with. So many of you are just as deserving and so vital to to your teams and to FIRST.

Thank you also for the kind comments above. You guys and your teams have been a big part of my inspiration and we have so many memories of events and contests together.

As I finally realized that it was my name that Dr Murphy uttered and I stumbled up onto the stage and looked back at the stands full of awesome teams and mentors, my wife said I looked like I was standing before a firing squad. I just remember feeling that I couldn't measure up to the row of champions behind me and all the potential before me. I pray that I will be able to be more of an inspiration to the FIRST community and still draw kids to do more than they think they can for all of us.

Re: Congratulations John Novak -- 2009 Championship WFA
 

John, Base on what I have seen of your influence and inspiration, its easy, just be yourself and you will be amazing.

Re: Congratulations John Novak -- 2009 Championship WFA
 

John congratulations to the both of you. Well deserved
Bob 107

Re: Congratulations John Novak -- 2009 Championship WFA
 

Here is a link to an article about John's WFA published in our local paper today (front page above the fold:) ): http://www.baxterbulletin.com/articl...NTPAGECAROUSEL

There are a few little details that are not exactly accurate. If any of you have ever tried to explain what you do to a reporter who has no idea what FIRST is...you understand. We have not had much local coverage lately and this new reporter is at least interested!

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Re: Congratulations John Novak -- 2009 Championship WFA
 

Wow that is really a great article!