[ghostmachine360]

Mr. George was my second father.

He drove me to be excellent, even before I joined the CircuitRunners in 2007. He helped me to prove others wrong when they said my race would determine my place in the STEM world. He helped me embrace my love for engineering through teaching me electronics and giving me boundless opportunities to learn and explore.

He was with me through the challenging times, through the rebuilding of the team. And he was with me through the victories; he was the first person I hugged for the first & second Peachtree Engineering Inspiration Awards in 2009 and 2010, and the first person I hugged when I became a Dean's List finalist & Championship Recipient in 2010. He inspired me to become a mentor and adviser to other FIRST programs and STEM initiatives in my college years.

But more than FIRST, he was one of the reasons I became who I am today. He helped me when I went through depression and a suicide attempt after not getting into my dream college. He taught me respect and honor for my fellow man. He showed me that a Chairman's Award meant nothing if it was just to win. He yelled at me when I was being petulant after a loss. He helped me become a big brother to others, who are still brothers of mine to this day. He pushed me to be an agent of change in my community by becoming one of the youngest and few black members of the GeorgiaFIRST Robotics Advisory Council and Regional Planning Committee.

But more than that: he was a friend, commander, and someone who I'm going to miss. My only grief comes from the reality that the future CircuitRunners that walk the halls of Wheeler won't get to know the brilliance of the man called Roy Al George.

Thanks for everything, Mr. George.