I'm having a hard time picking one person. There are a lot of people in FIRST whom I try to emulate, like Justin Montois (from 340), Koko Ed, Andy Baker, JVN and especially Karthik (though I haven't personally met JVN yet). But if I were to pick one person in FIRST I most try to emulate, it would have to be my long-time friend and mentor from 1126, Dylan Gramlich.
Dylan was a Senior on 1126 just as I entered as a Freshman (in 2008). He was the Coach at the time (his third year doing so). My earliest memory of Dylan was helping him lift the shelves we use into our back storage. My first SIGNIFICANT memory of Dylan is him leading the 2008 strategy session. He was so knowledgeable about... Well... Everything I would ask about! We became fast friends and we're friends to this very day (5+ years later).
There are so many qualities I try to learn from Dylan. He first inspired me with his strategic knowledge of FIRST, but I'd go on to admire him for his cool-headedness (when not on the field, as least
), his fairness and his laid back nature. But what I admire most about Dylan is his leadership. Dylan is, in my eyes, a natural born leader (and, by extension, coach). Dylan was the one who inspired me to pursue leadership roles on 1126, and to eventually try out for the drive team (though I never attained my coveted goal of Coach). His natural tact and ability to control a situation always inspired me. Dylan has taught me so much over the years, and he is a true inspiration to me. When I had to write a college essay about a person who inspired me most, Dylan was a no brainer. Well... Okay, it was a toss-up between Dylan and Rocky... But I like Dylan better.
I'm not sure how much Dylan is on CD nowadays (getting ready for his wedding and all
), but if he sees this, I hope he decides to set up some DnD
