UFH: David Kelso

[CD47-Bot]

Thread created automatically to discuss UFH Honoree: David Kelso.



Name: David Kelso
Date Honored: 11-14-2003
Years involved w/FIRST: 11
FIRST Team(s): BAE SYSTEMS/Rockwell Automation/University of New Hampshire &, Central High School (0131)
Role: Team Advisor/Administration
Quote: "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." - Unknown
Bio: David Kelso's FIRST history goes way back. Starting in FIRST in 1994's Tower Power, Dave runs the C.H.A.O.S. team #131 from Manchester, NH. Dave handles "school/team coordination (travel plans, permission/medical forms) and all that awful clerical stuff. On the competition level, I design the tests to determine our drive team, divide students into subgroups and find assign students to any job that they can do better than I can. I also write the grants and beg for the money that keeps our team going each year."

Dave has two great FIRST memories from past seasons. "After this much time, there are many. In 1995, when the Championship was inside Epcot, the pit was in a tent that had a guard. He only admitted people wearing team shirts. When Dean showed up for the first time part way through the day Friday (wearing his typical uniform), it was a real laugh watching him try to talk his way past the guard, until a group of us convinced the guard that he was “one of us”.

"I must say that winning the NE Regional in 2000 was one of my fondest memories. It was our only regional and the Championship was the next weekend. This team was special because it was comprised of a group of students that had so much to do with the design of the best attributes of the robot. We gave new meaning to the words “descore”. We had a very emotional week, from winning in Hartford one weekend to becoming National finalists one week later."

A true mentor to the 131 students, Dave says that overall, "I think that my greatest accomplishment is that I provide the opportunity to students at our school to take part in FIRST." He's got his own list of personal accomplishments, too: "Our team is one of 4 in Manchester NH . As a committee, we organize River Rage each year. This event began as a demonstration in 1996 and now is the oldest ongoing post season competition. For 2004, there is a push to put this competition back at the school where FIRST began in 1992, Memorial High School.

"This year C.H.A.O.S. is running our second FIRST Lego Competition. This is a fun event that gives our team a chance to provide some younger students with a very exciting day. (I could still use a good technical judge who is very familiar with FIRST Lego League.

"Last year, I helped write and test some of the FIRST Learning Modules for the EDU Bots. I usually spend one week each summer as a volunteer at FIRST science day camps. At Battle Cry at WPI, in 2001, my team convinced Ken Stafford to continue an award that his team began the year before. The ‘Battle Cry Star’ award is presented to a team mentor each year. Nominations are now made by team members each year for this award that is so special for any mentor."

Dave has a great tidbit of advice for FIRSTers. "Use FIRST as a medium to improve whatever skills and interests you have." And of course, a plug for the team: "There is room in our C.H.A.O.S. organization for anyone who wants to really work for the team in whatever capacity that they can!"

Dave also gives a large amount of credit to his family. "My greatest FIRST accomplishment may actually have been that I got our daughter, Kristen, involved in FIRST. She has provided lots of motivation the last few years. Kris is also very hard to keep up with. From the RCU to FIRST Lego League and ZOOM public television, she keeps us on the go. Thanks must also go to my wife, Nancy, who joined the team in 2000. I guess she did not want to be left out of the fun any longer."

Congratulations to David Kelso: FIRST mentor, family man, and winner of our eighth Unsung FIRST Hero Award.

/edit: Congratulations to David Kelso for being honored as the 2004 BAE Systems Regional Woodie Flowers Award! The entire Unsung FIRST Heroes Committee wishes Dave the best!

Nominated By: confidential

[Amanda Morrison]

Congratulations to our eighth Unsung FIRST Hero - David Kelso.

[MattK]

Your the man Mr. K!

[Justin]

Mr. Kelso, unfortunately I believe, qualifies as an "un-sung" hero of FIRST. While he woul be modest, he certianly deserves this recognition. I can't say enough good things. For the last seven years I have had the privlage of serving on the River Rage committee with him, solving computer problems as they crop up, and...I hope, becoming a friend. I first met Mr. Kelso as a result of River Rage and though I did not hail from within the CHAOS organization, when I go to competitions I wear their shirts. As always great words from a great guy.

There will exist a gaping hole in the FIRST Community when the Kelsos finally give it up (hahha ya right who are we kidding, that'll never happen :-)

Justin

[Matt Leese]

Simply one of the best people in FIRST I know. Nothing more I really can add to that.

Matt

[Andy Grady]

I just wanted to pass on my congrats to Dave on this regonition, long overdue in my opinion. Dave's amazing teaching skills and his inspiration reach far beyond the bounds of just his own team. I have learned alot from him and consider him to be one of my biggest influences in FIRST today.

Thank you and congrats to Mr. Kelso!

-Andy Grady

[JVN]

Dave is Amazing!

Dave Kelso, and people like him are the reason why FIRST is as great as it is. Dave, thank you for all you've done for your team, and for the community. Without you, kids (and engineers) like me wouldn't get to do what we do.

Congratulations on this honor, you deserve it.

[Jestin McCarthy]

David Kelso in my mind is FIRST!!!!Thank you for being my advisor,mentor,and the best yet friend. You have single handedly changed my high school life, and now future for the better. Again thank you for being the man you are! We could all learn alot from you.....I already have.

[Chris Hibner]

David Kelso is one of the nicest guys I've ever met.

We picked 131 to be our partners in 2001 at nationals, and then in 2002, David was working the Einstein stage when we made our run to championship finals. He was very good at working the stage and everything moved very efficiently.

Then, last year at Six Flags in Houston, I heard my name being called and I thought, "who in heck would recognize me around here?" It was David wanting to say 'hi' and see how things were going this year. We talked for a few minutes. It was then that I realized what a classy guy he really is.

Congratulations, David, you deserve it. Congratulations also to team 131 for having a great leader on your team.

[Kyle Fenton]

Originally posted by Chris Hibner
David Kelso is one of the nicest guys I've ever met.

I totally agree with you Chris. David Kelso is a very nice man that is very devoted to his team. He also believed highly in the ideals of FIRST.

He definitely deserves this recognition for all of his years of hard work.

Congratulations David Kelso

Keep up the good work!

[Katie Atiyeh]

Mr. Kelso
You truly deserve this award! Unlike many competitors of FIRST, you're work and dedicated spirit doesn't stop at the competition. My experience with FIRST wouldn’t have been the same without you and your team. Thanks for being wicked awesome.
-Katie Atiyeh

[ColleenShaver]

I just wanted to say congratulations Dave! You're an inspiring mentor to us all!

[Chris]

Dave Kelso is very deserving of this award; I had many positive experiences with Mr. Kelso during my time involved in NH FIRST. I wish him and Chaos the best of luck for the future.

Chris C.

[David Kelso]

Hey...I wish to thank all of you for your kind words and friendship. My two weeks got extended a bit..in fact it is known to very few that the popularity of this thread demolised the old Forum so Brandon had to come up with something better...nice job.

So, let's cheer on UFH #9 when they get announced in the near future.

Thanks again.

[Andy Baker]

Even though he is a Patriots fan, Dave is a great guy. He is very deserving of being a UFH, for he is the hero of many FIRSTers, myself included.

The CHAOS team is always a competitive FIRST team. They do this with minimal (or no) engineer input. They are consistently one of the teams to beat while having simple, reliable designs. The 2000 Chaos robot is one of the best machines ever in FIRST. Dave leads this team and provides a venue for the kids to do very well.

Get this... in Houston at the Championships, CHAOS had 18 students there. They only had 2 adults, Dave and Nancy Kelso. That shows the Kelso's commitment to their students.

I look to Dave as my role model to be a good parent and husband. He has great kids and a supportive, loving wife. When I grow up, I wanna be like Dave. ... except not a Patriots fan.

Andy B.