Who do you emulate?

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by Barry Bonzack

The Woodie Flowers Award Winners and Unsung FIRST Heroes highlight the people in our community who are shining examples of the spirit of FIRST. What traits do people have that inspire you? Who do you want to be more similar to? You don’t always have to agree with them, heck you don’t even have to like them, but you have to admit, everyone has at least one trait which you find admirable.

I am finally getting back to this thread.
Nominating one person is really really hard because there are just so many people who have have taught me so much in all sorts of categories.

But I have two names. Sort of.

I met one of these folks during my first year in FIRST. I vividly remember meeting the other 3 years later.
When I was Senior Mentor, they were my go-to people for anything to do with FRC - the game, the robot "stuff", the history and the people. They were students and then mentors in the program. They now have leading roles on the planning committee, at the regional, and one is the current Senior Mentor for Maryland.

We don't always agree, but I know I learn something every time I am around them.

I cannot possibly emulate them. I really don't care that much about robots.

But I respect them, and value their vast knowledge base (they can digest and red line the manual faster than anyone I've ever met), their sage advice, and all the stories we have shared over the years.

Anne and Steve Shade. And now Charlotte makes three.

[Kims Robot]

Sad I missed this one so many times...

It's so hard to pick just one, but I'm going to go with the first one that popped into my head (ok it was simultaneous with Andy, but he's been mentioned)

Ken Patton - Enthusiasm - I could list numerous things about Ken that I would love to emulate, but at a measure I have reached some of them... what constantly amazes me every time I meet him is just how incredibly enthusiastic he is and how giving and infectious that enthusiasm is. You get the sense that he has boundless energy and a limitless positive attitude, that I can only one day hope to match. I always find my realism and no-nonsense attitude kick in, but yet when I am around Ken I cannot help but be inspired by his almost child-like awe and excitement at everything around us. It puts a smile on my face every single time.

[Reanna]

Jim Beck just because omg Jim Beck.
Same with Mark Leon and Janet McKinley just omg.

#JimBeckIsAGift

[Robby Unruh]

My father, Bob Unruh. He's sacrificed a lot just to keep our team alive. He's given us a workshop for the past 3 years, and without him our team would still be working out of a single, cramped classroom. I guess I'm kind of biased, though anyone on our team will probably tell you the same thing.