[Barry Bonzack]

Is it possible to thank our teachers and mentors enough? I don't think so.

I went to the College FIRST conference while in Atlanta, and Leese said something that stuck in my mind.

As far as I am concerned, teachers are the backbone of FIRST

This being said, none of the students I know could put a hand on a piece of aluminum if it weren't for our teachers. There are some ultra-dedicated super-teachers out there like Mrs. Passmore (233), Nathan Pell (1083) and Gordan Andrews (1402), Mrs. Suzy Garrison (1543), Mr. Roger Johnston and Mr. Dennis Susol (1065). I'd like to send a special thanks to all of my teachers Mr. Jones, Mrs. VanderZl, especially Mr. Donald Fritts (1604) and Mrs. Kathleen Collier (1390). Without the efforts of these teachers I've mentioned, there would be 7 Florida teams that I know of that would be out of some serious luck.

Of course all mentors that have taught me in my local area deserved thank, Disney Engineers Phu Nguyen (1402), Dan Welsh, and John Wrains (1390) as well as all of the others from other teams. Also local engineers in the area has influenced the way I think in multiple ways, Amos Decarmo and Jeff Wilcox.


Next is a very special group of people I hold as true inspiration, because I did not meet them face to face until this week. Every Mentor out of state, as well as students that have been an asset to the making of my team and help with my chairman's entree, all of you are awesome. I have too many to even name, but if one were to check my "list of people to meet" page, they are all in there.

GIANT thanks to Jenny "Robomom" Beatty and the rest of FIRST NEMO. Can't say enough times how this organization is a true inspiration to me, and how it makes me want to continue so I may someday inspire others.




-Thanks.