[Joe Johnson]

I don't know exactly if this is the right place to post this, but let me start it here and if folks think there is a better home for this thread, we can move it later.

I want to comment on the quality of the judging of the Woodie Flowers Award.

Let me say, in the interest of full disclosure that I covet this award. I can recall sitting in the audience when the first award was given to Woodie himself. I remember like it was just yesterday. I also very clearly recall thinking the following 2 thoughts: "Life is long... ...someday, maybe not next year or the next year or the year after that, but some day, I am going to win that award..."

I admit that the second is a very conceeded thought, but I am what I am and I thought what I thought. I share these less than flattering thoughts not so much as a public confessional but because I believe it is relevant to what I am about to say.

There is no award that FIRST gives out that I believe is more rightly awarded year in and year out.

I am serious. Every year, I hold my breath as the award is anounced. Every year, I cross my fingers, hoping that my students decided to nominate me (they don't tell us who they nominate) and that their nomination was the winner. And EVERY YEAR, I scream with real emotion, "Worthy, Worthy, Worthy!" when I hear the name of the actual winner.

Again, I am dead serious. There are times, with other FIRST awards where I end up scratching my head, thinking, "How did that team get THAT award?" But this has never been the case with the Woodie Flowers Award.

I have personally known all but Elizabeth Calif (the first non-Woodie, Woodie Flowers Award winner). It is my considered opinion that a finer group of individuals is not to be had.

So... ...though I am an admitted Woodie Flowers Award Winner Wannabe, I take my hat off the those who judge this particular award, I salute you, and I say, "Well done, keep up the good work!"

Those who have been so honored are worthy, indeed.

Joe J.