[Arefin Bari]

I don't have any words that would describe this man's effort he puts in for team 1345. I have known him for about 3, 4 years and the first time I met him, it was at a SECME (science and engineering club) competition. Since then I knew he was a man who would do anything to help the students. I was on team 108 for 4 years, after graduation I wanted to go to a team who needs most help, hence I had to pick 1345 since they didn't have any mechanical people on their team, any industrial tools, or any engineers. It was all Mr. Payne and Mr. Platt who kept this team together. The team was falling apart and I wanted to join the team to see if I can help them out. With obvious proofs, team 1345 has grown a lot and all of them work together as a great team.

Here are few stories I would like to share...

Day after kickoff, Mr. Payne and I were talking about the game and what would our robot need to do at the regional. At the end of the conversation, I suggested that it would be nice to get 6 wheels (I also pointed out that I didn't want to use the kop wheels) by tuesday and get a chassis together and have it running around. Mr. Payne ordered the IFI wheels that Monday after kickoff, but he kept his words. Instead of going home and spending the time with his family, he went ahead to one of the wood shops and made me 6 wooden wheels with bearings pressed into it and brought it back to school. After that I went ahead and made changes, painted them, put treads around them and we had the chassis running around by tuesday.

Here is another one...

2 weeks before ship. The robot looked completely empty and instead of plywood or aluminum I wanted to put on some lexan there. Here is how our conversation went.

Mr. Payne: So you want to put lexan around the robot?
Arefin: Yes, I would love to. I am not sure if I want to use 1/8th cause it might get too heavy, I can always use 1/16th.
Mr. Payne: Ok Arefin.

... Next day he shows up to school with 3 (4' by 8') lexan and 3 (4' by 8') lexan piece so we can start making pieces for the robot. Not to mention that money came out of his own pocket that day.

I have never seen this mentor disappoint a student. Always took a student's idea to account before he went on with what he had to share with the team.

He truly deserves the WFA, and I was really glad to watch him go down there, shake every single judges hand and recieve that wonderful and prestigious award.

Mr. Payne, you have done a lot for me. I truly appreciate all your help. Team 1345 Platinum Dragons would like you to know that we love you.