Who do you emulate?

[Libby K]

I'll come back and add to this when I have the time, but I just wanted to say this is a truly wonderful thread. Rock on, FIRSTers.

[LeelandS]

I've bee lazy with this, and since I haven't resurrected a thread in a while, I thought this was a good one to revive. Barry messaged me when this thread was still young that we could have multiple people. So, to resurrect this thread, I'm going to give a portion of the (extremely long) list of people I try to emulate in FIRST.

Justin Montois, 340 - I admire Justin most for his love of the program and FIRST. Justin, a mentor of a team who has one numerous Chairman's awards in a row, consistently shows me his love of FIRST through at-competition work, CD involvement, and his hosting of FRCTop25, Mike and Justin ITM. I'm proud to call Justin a good friend, in addition to a role model.

"Koko" Ed Patterson, 191 - I try to emulate (though it's a near impossible feat) Ed's dedication to FIRST. Ed is known as a serial volunteer, and for good reason. This list of events he volunteers at (usually as Head Queue) is insurmountable. And not only regionals and champs, but off-season events, including IRI and Ruckus. Another person I'm proud to call my friend, Ed is a continuous role-model to me. Whether he's volunteering at an event or running a Fantasy FIRST Draft.

Andy Baker, 3940 - What I try to emulate most about Andy is his contributions to the program. Like Ed, Andy is dedicated to the program. And, as a Woodie Flowers Award winner, he has found ways to contribute in so many ways. His most notable contribution is founding, alongside Mark Koors, AndyMark, a company that sponsors FIRST with the Kit of Parts, and sells equipment to FIRST team. Another thing I admire about Andy that tells me he is a great mentor is his team mentorship. He mentored 45 for years, but left for CyberTooth when his daughter was of age. It's tough, to leave a well established team for a less well off one (I'm kinda of doing it now, except the new team isn't a rookie), but Andy did it.

Karthik Kanagasabapathy, 1114 - I like to consider Karthik a friend, though we don't interact very much. What I try to emulate most about Karthik is his laid back nature. When (if) I grow up, I want to be like Karthik (in a way). I don't want to be a crazy old coot who locks himself in his basement and makes robots all day. Karthik takes FRC seriously, but not to the point of obsession. He's cool. Laid back. He's just an awesome guy in general. There are a lot of things I like about Karthik. He's an amazing MC, committed member of CanadaFIRST, and someone who truly loves FIRST, his team, and every other team. He's a guy I want to be like in the future.

[rachelholladay]

I hope to emulate a lot of people. I feel like whenever I walk into a FIRST event, its a bunch of my childhood heroes gathered together in one space. For right now, I'll pick one person (who isn't on my team) who I find awesome.

John Larock, aka Mr. MOE for helpfulness / gracious professionalism. I have, like every other FIRSTer, always looked up to 365 MOE because their work is incredible. I was happy to see Mr. Larock win the Woodie Flowers Award at 2011 CMP. After having given my team's RCA presentation, my fellow presenter and I rushed to the Chairmans chat to hear from MOE (represented by Mr Larock and I believe a student) and the other HoF teams and to ask them as many questions as possible. Later the next day my team was leaving the Black Eyed Peas concert and my friend (same one) and I spotted Mr. Larock halfway down the street in front of us. Logically, we sprinted to catch up with him to say something along the lines of "You are awesome, congratulations on WFA, can we email you to soak up your awesomeness?"

Of course he said yes and as soon as a slept a little from CMP I proceed to email my questions. I'm on a team that is really working hard to expand our outreach capabilities and Mr. Larock provided me with some great insight, particularly on organizing your outreach plan into focused programs. Before the judges at the 2012 Bayou Regional called our team to accept its 3rd Chairmans Award (in a row) they listed some of our accomplishments. One of the first things they said was that we had "well organized and energetic groups focused on mentoring, outreaching, partnership, and volunteering." They were referring to the programs we has thought up after having been inspired by MOE and using Mr. Larock's kind words of wisdom. He probably didn't even realize that his one email helped transform my team.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by rachelholladay

I hope to emulate a lot of people. I feel like whenever I walk into a FIRST event, its a bunch of my childhood heroes gathered together in one space. For right now, I'll pick one person (who isn't on my team) who I find awesome.

John Larock, aka Mr. MOE for helpfulness / gracious professionalism. I have, like every other FIRSTer, always looked up to 365 MOE because their work is incredible. I was happy to see Mr. Larock win the Woodie Flowers Award at 2011 CMP. After having given my team's RCA presentation, my fellow presenter and I rushed to the Chairmans chat to hear from MOE (represented by Mr Larock and I believe a student) and the other HoF teams and to ask them as many questions as possible. Later the next day my team was leaving the Black Eyed Peas concert and my friend (same one) and I spotted Mr. Larock halfway down the street in front of us. Logically, we sprinted to catch up with him to say something along the lines of "You are awesome, congratulations on WFA, can we email you to soak up your awesomeness?"

Of course he said yes and as soon as a slept a little from CMP I proceed to email my questions. I'm on a team that is really working hard to expand our outreach capabilities and Mr. Larock provided me with some great insight, particularly on organizing your outreach plan into focused programs. Before the judges at the 2012 Bayou Regional called our team to accept its 3rd Chairmans Award (in a row) they listed some of our accomplishments. One of the first things they said was that we had "well organized and energetic groups focused on mentoring, outreaching, partnership, and volunteering." They were referring to the programs we has thought up after having been inspired by MOE and using Mr. Larock's kind words of wisdom. He probably didn't even realize that his one email helped transform my team.

Just to add onto this - He is one of the most kind-hearted and generous people I have ever met in FIRST. In our area, we are lucky to have him and Al Ostrow from 341 to learn from. Both exceptional people.

[torihoelscher]

Both are amazing people and shows the morals of F.I.R.S.T to the T! They volunteer and help with team organization. He has helped me with the Software Help Desk with Moose since 2010 and is completely dedicated to making sure that students come first. Also, if a team doesnt know how to do something, he comes over and helps out the best he can. If he cant fix it, he gets someone else that can. She is the same way, completely dedicated to FIRST and to her team. Volunteers and makes the day sweeter. Both of these people have touched my heart and I am honored to call them mentors.

Ken and Kat Gardner

[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.