[Anne Shade]

I started FIRST as a junior in high school in 1998. This was really the first after school activity that I couldn't wait to show up to. Finally, there was something for me to do that I enjoyed. I always knew that I wanted to be an engineer but FIRST help me learn why: the love of solving problems in a systematic way. I have been involved ever since and don't plan to stop at any time. There are so many different levels of possible involvement. I have been able to experience a few of them as a mentored student and as a college mentor. The learning never seems to stop and that's one of the things I love most about this program. To see the same glow on the high school students that I help mentor that I had when I first did the program is wonderful to see. I have learned to communicate my ideas better than ever before (I was always the shy quiet kid until I joined robotics). FIRST was part of my college entrance essay (and of all the college essay of my college teammates) as well as helped me get my new summer job with Perry (a division of Lockheed Martin) for this summer. I want to thank FIRST for being such a positive impact on my life.