[ghostmachine360]

I have my nomination. Enjoy.

The first is someone that's been with me since my sophomore year. His tenacity has to be the trait that I highlight.

Definitions:

1. highly retentive: a tenacious memory.
2. pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate.
3. holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder

All of these pretty much apply to him; usually at the same time. And they've always worked out to be something great within him.

It was his dominant trait that ultimately fueled me to keep going during the hard times working on my team. Going into my sophomore year, where we just went through a class gap my freshman year (3 freshmen going/staying in robotics compared to 30 freshman from the previous year), I was discouraged on the continuing legacy of our team. He came into the fold, fresh from FLL. Went and became immersed in the program itself; not just the robot, but all aspects of the organization. Administration, leadership, outreach, and competitive efforts; he had his hand in all (in a large way majority of the time) to make it successful. It wasn't just the tasks either. In cases where some of the leadership of the organization faltered and failed in upholding the values of FIRST, he remembered what & who mattered and held fast to his beliefs; never wavering. Whenever I was ready to leave FIRST behind from discouragement from some mentors or teammates, he was the reason I stayed. Because he represented the product of a positive FIRST impact. For most of what I was able to do in my years as a student leader at my alma mater, he was the prominent force behind my success. Through my experiences as a member, leader, alumni, volunteer, Dean's List member, and member of GeorgiaFIRST, he always pushed me to strive for excellence within my work and efforts.

He pushed me to become better in everything I worked & believed in.

He is a comrade, a friend, and a brother to me.

His name is Anupam Goli, aka Noops, or Wing here on CD. Now going off to college to make an even larger splash within the FIRST world as a FRC mentor & emcee. Thanks, bro, for the nomination. The phrase "thank you" can't even begin to describe my gratitude to you for the past 4 years of being there for me.