[Karthik]

Over the past nine years, The Holy Cows have transformed FIRST in the San Diego area and beyond. They have helped grow FIRST at every level, while developing links within their community to further FIRST’s mission. They have expended significant effort to ensure the San Diego teams have the tools they need to succeed, running large workshops, providing a mobile machine shop, and creating a robotics center where teams can work and practice.

Their impact has not just been limited to San Diego, the resources they have created have spread across the entire FIRST community. Their scouting program “CowScout” has allowed 260 FRC teams to effectively collaborate and share information about their teams. The program is nothing short of revolutionary. This is just one example of the amazing programs created by The Cows.

Team 1114 has had the opportunity to work with and learn from Team 1538 since 2009. In that time I am always astounded by the professionalism exhibited by all team members, from the students to the mentors to the parents. On Thursday, myself and one of the Team 1114 Allaire medalists from last year, Brittany Shaw, had the opportunity to watch their Chairman's presentation. I was simply blown away; it was easily one of the best presentations I have ever seen. Professional, dynamic, effective and fun.

Their team is a partnership of multiple organizations, that are unified by an unbridled passion to fulfill the mission of FIRST. Through the astounding and diverse resources they provide the entire FIRST community, and their constant gracious professional while striving to change culture, it is clear that The Holy Cows are the epitome of the goals and mission of FIRST.

Team 1114, Simbotics, would like to enthusiastically congratulate and welcome Team 1538, The Holy Cows, into the FIRST Hall of Fame as the 2013 Championship Chairman’s Award winner.