At so many points this weekend, I had to tell people to 'hang on' or 'be right back' or something similar where I had something to tear me away. Although it couldn't be helped, I wish I could have spent more time with some of the friends I rarely get to see. For me, the best thing about the IRI are the people, and I felt like I didn't get a lot of 'face time' with as many people as I would have liked. For that, I apologize.
Andy Baker, Chris Fultz, and Libby Ritchie - Thanks for all that you do, and letting me get involved even more this year. Chris, thanks for being a great guidance this weekend.
Paul Copioli - Always a fun MC, and thanks for the compliments about my human player skills. However, all gratitude for that was lost during the mentors round when I drove.
Dan Green - I look forward to more events with you as an announcer... the best in the Midwest. Although again, like Paul, the comments about my robot driving skills were NOT exactly appreciated.
Josh Hambright, David Kelly, Brandon Martus, and Molly Menges - Thanks for keeping the scoring table going - the event went over really well thanks to your efforts.
Jerry Budd - A great field manager... although you missed my talent show to clean the field! (That's dedication, folks.)
Collin Fultz - I probably owe you the biggest thanks. You're the one that really made the talent show a 'show'. You're a great announcer, and kept the crowd going. I can't thank you enough for everything this weekend.
Clark Gilbert - The best DJ ever. I seriously rocked out all weekend long.
234 Parent Crew - Thanks so much for your tireless efforts! From working with the volunteer room to the silent auction, you were amazing!
Jeff Maberto - Thanks for all your help with the talent show... you and your crew really made it happen. I couldn't have asked for a better help. I'm still sorry about the curtain, though...
Tony Norman and JVN - Thanks to Tony for being my arm driver... we rocked out, I don't care what Copioli and Lavery say. Thanks for the IFI support this weekend, for letting us be your test site, and for your generous scholarship donation.
Ken Patton, Libby Ritchie, JVN, Tony Norman, Paul Copioli, Raul Olivera, and Dave Lavery - Thanks for being a great group of judges for the talent show, and keeping the audience laughing with your antics. You guys are a great bunch.
Arefin Bari - Thanks for your wonderful gift, it means a lot to me. Don't worry about it, though - mentors do it for the rewards, not the awards.
Beth Sweet and Tiffany Gach - 'Twinkie' and 'Bambi' were great in the talent show. Thanks for helping out Collin and I, and really making this a great success.
Teams 25, 48, and 1646 (especially Travis Hoffman and Bharat Nain) - Thanks for letting me be a part of your drive teams this weekend. Out of my three matches (my first times on the field during a match!) I won two, and lost one (by one point). I couldn't have had a better time, and I'm glad that I could help you guys out.
Greg Needel and Jeremy Roberts - You guys did a great job stepping up with Team 25, and it obviously paid off in the end. You're both great volunteers and do a lot for the FIRST community... it's always good to see you guys.
Thanks to the Society of Women Engineers, Ball State University, Purdue University, Indiana University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Girls, Inc. of Indianapolis, and the Robot Chicks Union for helping to make the College Fair a success.
And most of all... it was great to see everyone this weekend (here's a short list):
jessjank, Mike Martus, Brandon Martus, Jeremy Roberts, Greg Needel, David Kelly, Molly Menges, DJ Fluck, the Gilbert brothers, Jerry Budd, Gary Dillard, April Dillard, Chris Fultz, Andy Baker, the Ritchie Family, Dave and Sean Lavery, Heidi Foster, Koko Ed Patterson, Dave Scheck, Dave Flowerday, Mike Soukup (Happy Birthday, and I'm sorry about the chocolate cake... I still feel bad), Dan Green, Raul Olivera, Tony Norman, JVN, Ken Patton, Chris Hibner, 'The Stevie', Greg McCoy, Kyle Love, Paul Copioli, Katie Reynolds, Aaron Lussier, Ernie Pacsai, Beth Sweet, Tiffany Gach, Jeff Maberto, Amy Przybylinski, Karthik Kanagasabapathy (the fact that I got cheered for saying your name correctly was amazing!), Chris Byam, the Nobles, the Kelso family (It was great to finally meet all of you!), Ben Lauer, Jason Kixmiller, David Bowker, Jennifer Baldwin, Carolyn Percifield, Steve Florence, Matt Auter, Ric and Courtney Roberts, Chris Husmann, Arefin Bari, Tytus Gerrish, Lisa Perez, Kevin Kolodziej, Josh Hambright, Ryan Dognaux, Barry Bohnsack, and everyone else that was there... all of you made it a weekend to remember. Thank you!
/edit: LUIS ENRIQUE QUINONES, I DIDN'T INCLUDE YOU IN THIS LIST BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE WITH TWO Q'S IN THEIR NAME.