[Andy Baker]

Wendy is an amazing woman. She is a hero to me and many other long-time FIRSTers. She is dedicated to promoting FIRST as a whole, while also keeping close tabs on making sure that her students get great opportunities to lead and experience FIRST. With her leadership, team 22 has blazed a trail for FIRST not only in Southern California, but across the nation.

She is bold, but caring. I've seen her carefully nurture a student at one point and then kick another student in the pants when they needed it.

FIRST is an amazing community. I look around and sometimes think "I wonder what FIRST would be like without THAT person." I'm here to tell you, FIRST would be drastically different without Wendy. It would be sadly less prosperous and successful than it is today. Her impact is huge.

Thanks, Wendy, for all that you do. From spearheading the formation of the SoCal regional, mentoring countless teams, volunteering your team to work an entire event, helping FIRST when they need you, and being a role model to the rest of us. You don't realize it, but you challenge all of us to be better people. Here's to Wendy!!!

Andy B.