Qotw [04-15-03]: Forgotten FIRST-a-holics...

[Andy Baker]

I've got a few:

Mike Bastoni - a role model to me and many others. Mr. B has moved on to BBIQ, and it is their gain. He and others on team 23 (Ron Partridge and all) began and operated the "Rumble at the Rock". Team 23 is in the FIRST Hall of Fame ('98 Chairman's Award), and Mike won the Woodie Flowers Award. An amazing man.

Daniel Lehrbaum - Daniel was the student leader of Gunn Robotics Team in 1999. He was very vocal and clear in his pursuit of getting students involved in more leadership positions on FIRST teams. I learned alot from him about how to let students be leaders. He went on to start a team at Cal-Berkley (483), and has stepped away from FIRST. Daniel is the guy who brought his team of high school students ONLY all the way across the country to compete in the 1999 Rumble in Plymouth.

Kate Leach - Kate was the student leader on team 166 (I think) and later went on to be active on team 190 at WPI. She is a fine young lady who set an example that girls could do this robot stuff too.

Eric Gargus - Eric was on team 217 and was their student leader in 2001. He had many friends on other teams and often ventured out on his own to make contacts and build friendships between many FIRST teams. He was excellent at building relationships and networking. He is at the University of Michigan now.

Thank you all for inspiring me.

Hey... this means that I have 4 less people to thank in my "thank you" note.

Andy B.