[Torchin]

Ken,
I know that sometimes it seems like we over living in out funny little GRT bubble don't love and cherrish you, but we REALLY do. I know last year wasn't the best it could have been, and maybe that's because you positioned yourself more as a student, rather than as a mentor, as you should have, and as you deserve to be.
You know how it works with us. Mentors don't machine parts, they don't design. You tried to be both, and I think that maybe that's where things went a little sour for you.

I don't think, though, that FIRST died in you, Ken, I don't believe it. It's just at another stage now. You've let go of the "student" part of FIRST. You're one of the most amazing students GRT has ever had, but at the same time last year you were BEYOND student.

You know I love you ken. You're what I hope to be when I'm 30. This year I've been put in charge by some odd quirk of the voting system or something, I'm not really sure, and I know I'll be asking you for more help than you can possibly hope to give me. You said you changed some lives, and you're absolutely right. We worked together at Lockheed, and then GRT for two years. The amount you taught me, and the effect you had on me WILL last for as long as I love engineering.

With all my heart I want to thank you Ken. You've been one of the most amazing people I've ever had the privilage to meet, and I want you to know for SURE that you are not un-appriciated in the slightest. I cherrished every lesson you taught, every criticizm or praise you gave to a piece I'd made.

THANK YOU KEN! I'LL MISS YOU THIS YEAR, WHEN I'LL PROBALLY NEED YOUR HELP MORE THAN EVER! *HUGS KEN*