Thanks for your service to the GDC Dave & Woodie

[Robyn Needel]

To Dave and Woodie,

Thank you both for your many years of mentorship to all of us, adults and students alike. You have inspired so many of us to get involved in helping to make our individual and collective futures brighter and I appreciate your hard work and devotion to FIRST and young people everywhere.

Many thanks!

[SirTasty]

Dave and Woodie,

You will be sorely missed. Thank you for all of your work over the years, bringing FIRST to where it is today.

[MagiChau]

I am fairly new to FIRST but I recognize the importance of the time and dedication Woodie and Dave gave.
They both took on difficult jobs that some of us would back down from. It is impossible to ignore that there was criticism for their decisions, but nothing is ideal and we all know how thankful we are for these two individuals for bearing with the task and providing the challenges that helped in the inspiration and recognization by kids for science and technology.

[IndySam]

I don't think there is a tougher job in FIRST than being on the GDC.

Thanks Dave Lavery and Dr. Flowers for your many years of work on that committee.

[OZ_341]

The GDC will never be the same with out these two incredible human beings. They were the driving force behind the inspiration of so many students and adults in FIRST.
Thank you a thousand times over for your service to our young people.

Al Ostrow
Lead Mentor
Team 341

[Molten]

Thanks for all the work you've done. I certainly hope that the people that replace you are half the men you are. I hope you enjoy some of the newfound downtime that you truly deserve.

Thanks,
Jason

[GaryVoshol]

I am shocked and saddened at this news as well. I appreciate all the hard work these two dedicated people have given over the years. It can't be easy for them either.

I know I've been a critic of some things from time to time, but I hope that I have always been supportive of the GDC, just not the decision.

Thank you Dave and Woodie for all you have done.

[Tetraman]

Thank you Dave and Woodie for the years of design you have added to each year's game. I have hope that you will continue to be a force in FIRST programs and inspiration to all. Woodie is my hero and whenever Dave speaks I have my face to my computer screen eager to learn.

FIRST has been going though many changes since I started, and changes like these are really scary, but I can't wait for what the future holds for the new GDC and for the roles that Woodie and Dave will still hold in the FIRST community.

The question for me is, can I still pander to Dave for a spot in the GDC?

[mathking]

Thank you both for your years of service. You have been wonderful emissaries for FIRST, and I hope this doesn't mean the end of your participation with FIRST. I think you are both a big part of why FIRST is changing the world.

[Rosiebotboss]

Dave and Woodie,

Thank you for your service. I do not think FIRST would be what it is today without your guidance through these past years. I am a little worried about the future.

Woodie, you have been a constant, a stabilizing factor, keeping our (my) focus on the students, in the crazy world we call FIRST.

Dave, your (twisted) sense of humor and dedication is unparalleled.

Whenever I talk to some one about FIRST, and I talk to them about Dean, Woodie and Dave as being the 'holy trinity' of FIRST. I hope you will continue as the leaders of this program that we depend on.

[buildmaster5000]

Dave: Thanks for giving us something to do over CHRISTmas break every year.

Dave and Woody: Thank you for giving me something to look forward to every year. I have been truely changed by FIRST and every value it stands for.

You will be missed
Alex

[Mark Holschuh]

My heartfelt thanks to both Dave and Woody, for your hard work on the GDC, and for leading by example. I hope you will both remain active in FIRST in some capacity.

[Arefin Bari]

Dave and Woodie,

Thank you.

[RoboDawg]

Thanks to both of you for all the hard work and commitment! :

[maltz1881]

I have to say this is the saddest day that I have had in FIRST. To lose both of these fine gentlemen from the GDC will be hard. It will be hard next year to imagine not hearing from Dave regarding the crazy clues we get every year. Words aren't enough to say how thankful the G.R.A.Y.T. Leviathons are to these fine scholars. The kids and mentors look up to both of you as the true definition of Gracious Professionalism. I thank you for everything.