[OZ_341]

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support. Our team is truly humbled by the honor and grateful for the assistance and mentorship we have received over the past 11 years.

There is not a team in FIRST that succeeds alone and Team 341 is not any different.
The first offer of help we received was back in the Fall of 1999 from Frank Larkin, lead mentor for Team 272, The Cyber Crusaders. I remember thinking that it was strange to receive an offer of help from another competitor. At the time I really didn’t understand what FIRST was all about. Frank continues to be someone we admire and consider to be a role model for our team.

We also want to thank Cathy Beck and Team 103, John Larock and Team 365, Scott Howell and Fred Harding from Team 222, Rob Ervin and Peter Randall from Team 1218, Andy Baker, and Rob Thate of NASA GSFC.
We also would like to thank our local FIRST representatives Carol Kauffman, Donald Bowers, and Nate Knauss, as well as our former senior mentor Rich Kressly.
We are also grateful for all of the hardworking volunteers at Ramp Riot, our past students, parents, and coaches, as well as, our generous sponsors.

Our team also would like to acknowledge the contributions of two people that are no longer with us, Dave Beck of Team 103 and Mike Wade from NASA GSFC. We thank Dave for his years of help and advice and we thank Mike for building the foundation of Ramp Riot. Ramp Riot is a big part of our identity as a team and Mike Wade did so much to make it strong. As Jared mentioned we are “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”.

And finally, I just wanted to thank the FIRST Judges for their vote of confidence. It was no doubt a very difficult decision and we do not take it lightly. Our team’s pledge to FIRST, is that we will always strive to live up to your high expectations and make you proud everyday. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and get back to work.

Thank you everyone and Best Wishes for a great 2010 off-season.

Alan Ostrow
Team Leader
FRC 341