I am so grateful for the mentors that have helped on 177 the two years I have been on the team. Without them, I know there is no way I would have discovered my interests in so many things. They have been amazingly helpful and friendly and willing to teach. I know for a fact that if I had never been involved in FIRST (and I wouldn't have without their time and dedication) that I would not be where I am today.
Instead of sitting home and playing video games, these people helped show me all of these other amazingly interesting things I could be doing with my time. In part because of my experiences with FIRST, my life motto is "do cool stuff". Woodie says it best when he talks about having "hard fun". Overcoming challenges and finding solutions to real-world problems is infinitely more satisfying than sitting around watching TV.
Our team had a potluck dinner this year to thank our mentors, and we gave them all "paper plate" style awards for their own, unique (
), contributions to the team. There's a few mentors I want to individually thank beyond that though.
Mr. Gaston: Your "hands off" mentoring with the CMUCam last year taught me how to get myself out of problems when I ran into a wall, and you always uncovered just enough of the solution for me to take it run with it on my own. Mr. Betts: Without you, my experience on 177 would have been very different. Your dedication is amazing, and you taught me how to slow down and approach problems without rushing in. Mr. Mo: Without you 177 would not exist. Thank you for the countless hours you put in and the smile you always have when teaching me how to do ridiculously simple things.
All of the mentors have been amazing, and I thank all of you for everything you have done. Keep it up; you're changing things for the better.