It was first when my grandfather had my sister,myself and my mom go see the robot for the first time in 1997. That's when I wanted to keep going back and seeing the progress of everything and keep going to regional’s (especially the NJ regional when it was still in the Rutgers gym). But more than seeing the robot,or anything really dealing with robots, having Mike Sperber as a mentor for essentially 75% of my life now has been a huge inspiration for me with robotics, my educational career, and more or less every other aspect of my life. Without him I certainly wouldn't be where I am now. He's really taught me to not think outside the box, but to make a new one, and now even after I've left my high school robotics team, he's there for me and has helped me since going to college just as much, if not more than he did when he was mentoring me in high school.
For me meeting people and sharing stories is what made me realize that this is something I'm going to continue doing. Tim Baird and Mike Sperber have really given me the inspiration and drive to stay with FIRST and be a mentor. And it's pretty awesome.
Oh, and that one time when I saw my mom cry because we finally won Chairman's in 2002. That was pretty cool, celebrating with my whole family, and my team. And what's more inspirational than teen pop sensation Mandy Moore playing right after you win Chairman's?!?!
Ha...on Mandy...
