[Ginger Power]

I'm speechless and amazed as I'm on my way back to Fargo from the FIRST Robotics Minnesota North Star Regional. CIS 4607, the Becker Robotics team has been honored with the most prestigious award in competitive robotics, the Chairman's Award.

CIS has been striving to achieve the culture change outlined by FIRST since our inception in 2012. The Chairman's Award is so much more than just another award. It is a validation for the countless hours of work done by a special collection of people in an effort to change the world. I think I speak for everybody on the team when I say that we're humbled to have been honored with the Chairman's Award.

There are so many people deserving of thanks, and so many people who deserve recognition for this achievement. I'll leave all of that for a different form of communication. There is, however, somebody that needs to be recognized here.

Alex Jurek (Chief Hedgehog), you won the Woodie Flowers award. There isn't anything I can say that isn't summarized by that award. I will say simply this, I wouldn't be interested in STEM education, or robotics if it weren't for you. Any/all of the successes that I have had and will hopefully have in the future can be attributed to your success as a mentor, a teacher, and a friend. 4607 doesn't have a FRC team without you, we certainly don't win any awards. Many people have put in many hours, but you've been the guiding force. Without your vision for the future, 4607 is nothing, and all of the work we do doesn't get done. This award should serve as a validation for all the time you've given up with your family. It should serve as validation for the sleepless nights, worrying about one thing or another for the team. It should certainly validate the blood sweat and tears you have put into this program.

I'd also love to thank Laurie Shimizu, Jon Stratis, Mark Lawrence, and Ken Rosen. They're all incredible people who have helped show 4607 how to become the team that we are today.

Interestingly, I was told today at the event that 4607 has a reputation. At the time I wasn't sure what this meant, was it good? I suppose after this, I can believe that we have a good reputation.

4607 knows that the work doesn't stop here. CIS isn't going to sit back and relax knowing that we've accomplished what we've always dreamed of accomplishing. The work is just beginning. We won't ever stop trying to improve our community, spread STEM education, and change the world.