UFH: Ken Leung

[CD47-Bot]

Thread created automatically to discuss UFH Honoree: Ken Leung.



Name: Ken Leung
Date Honored: 01-14-2004
Years involved w/FIRST: 6
FIRST Team(s): PDI Dreamworks/SRI International/A Better Mousetrap Machining/OutBack Manufacturing &, Woodside High School &, Carlmont High School (0100), Roku &, Gunn High School (0192), The Sea Dawgs (0258), Rambots (0419)
Role: WRRF member, College mentor
Quote: You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. – R. Buckminster Fuller
Bio: Ken Leung is a well known member of the ChiefDelphi Forums, the WRRF, and FIRST Robotics as a whole. A scorekeeper for California regionals, winner of the Volunteer Award, and even organizer of the CalGames, it seems as though Ken rarely has time to sit down. Still, he rarely takes the credit for all of his accomplishments: "Whether it’s mentoring a team, or running an off season competition, or volunteering at a competition, I wouldn’t have been able to do them without everyone else involved. Those, I see as accomplishments of the community. It’s the effort of participants that make them possible, I am proud of being a part of them."

Ken hails from Palo Alto, California, and has been involved in FIRST for six years. Unlike many robotics students, Ken came from a different background that made it hard for him to immediately adjust. "I started out as one of those kids who are in everyone’s way. I had absolutely no idea what a wrench is, much less a 130 lbs robot. What made it worse was I spoke very little English as a 3rd year immigrant from Hong Kong. I almost quit the team because I didn’t get along with my group leader. But I found my way around the machine shop and became good with the tools, and played a major role in building the 2000 robot." Ken was one of the operators of the Gunn Robotics Team's 2000 robot, and decided to stick with FIRST through college. "I became a college mentor after I graduated high school, and volunteered at competitions as inspector. Now I am the event manager of WRRF’s California Robot Games, and scorekeeper for some California Regionals. Three things that changed my role in FIRST: found out about www.chiefdelphi.com from GRT’s student leader Daniel Lehrbaum, got to know GRT’s engineer Ken Krieger and went to Manchester kickoff with him at 2001, and joined WRRF. Since then, I found myself making a lot of friends, volunteering at competitions, and doing something I feel is important."

While many consider awards and medals their accomplishments, Ken has different ideas. "Some would consider winning Volunteer award and running a successful off-season big accomplishments, but my biggest accomplishment in FIRST is overcoming my fears. As many know, I came here from Hong Kong in '95. I was very anti-social and quiet because of my language skills (or the lack of them), and I feared interacting with people. I had no goals in life. I didn’t care about anything. The Gunn Robotics Team and FIRST changed all that. Every single person I met in the team and at competition taught me that there are wonderful people out there. All the things I heard or read told me there is more to life than watching TV or playing video games. I learned that I can do anything as long as I put my mind to it. That’s my personal accomplishments in FIRST."

Ken gave us two very monumental memories in his FIRST career. "The night before Manchester kickoff on Friday, after hanging out with the California coaches and Andy Baker, we went back to the Holiday Inn. It just so happens that Jason Morrella and Ken Krieger were sitting in the hotel lounge chatting about FIRST. I sat down next to them listening to every little thing Jason had to say about FIRST, its staff, and about different teams around the country. The whole time I didn’t say a thing, sat in my chair and stared at the floor, rocking back and forth listening to the amazing things Jason has to say. When we finally went back to our room, Ken said to me, “Sorry for boring you. You look like you were almost falling asleep there.” That whole time I thought to myself “WOW! I had NO IDEA this is so AMAZING! I’ve got to get addicted!” It was the first time I’ve decided I want to be part of something bigger than myself. To this day I still smile to myself about this little moment…"

Another touching team memory sticks in Ken's mind: "It was the last day of 6 weeks going back and forth between [the Gunn Robotics Team] and college. Around 3am before I had to leave for Berkeley that morning, I wanted to say good bye to the team so I gathered everyone together. Everyone knows my biggest weakness is public speaking, but I decided I had to do it anyway. I said to the team “I have had the pleasure of working with an amazing group these 6 weeks. This is such a wonderful experience, and I thank you for letting me be part of this team. Even though I won’t be seeing you guys for a while, I am extremely proud of what you did. I will never forget this. See you at competition!” The whole time I was sweating and shuddering, but what the team didn’t know was, I could barely stop myself from starting to cry. To this day, I'll never forget those 6 weeks with GRT."

Ken also believes in the future of FIRST. "Be yourself in FIRST. Just because it is a robotics competition, doesn’t mean you have to build the robot, win the competition, or go into engineering after high school. The most important part is spending your time doing something you believe in. Many times people don’t know what they want to do with their life, and best way to understand yourself is by participating in your life. FIRST is a great place that lets you experience your life. Constantly learn from your experience, open yourself to different area in this program, and observe the one you call “me” through challenges and difficulties. You might be amazed by what you find once you start looking."

Congratulations to honoree Ken Leung and his tireless contributions.

Nominated By: Rob Colatutto

[Bill Gold]

Congrats Ken. You're definitely a FIRST hero. You were one of the first people I talked to from other teams back during the 2001 build period and competition season. Talking with you helped me overcome my fear of meeting new people. I've had many great conversations with you over the years, and you've helped me through quite a few problems. I'm really lucky to have you as a friend. Sorry if this is kind of disjointed, but I'm at a robotics meeting that I'm supposed to be running, but I wanted to be the first person to congratulate you. I'll probably edit this later with a funny story or something. You're awesome Ken! I'm really lucky that I get to see you so often, and other people across the country only get to see you once or twice a year.

[Amanda Morrison]

Congratulations to Ken Leung, our tenth Unsung FIRST Hero.

[Aaron Lussier]

I first met Ken, in Person, at this past IRI(Indiania Robotics Invational). Ken is just about the nicest guy that I have ever met. Period. He only sleeps four hours a night, and stays going all day. Ken congrats on winning this fine, fine award. See you at IRI, hopefully

-Aaron

[Katie Reynolds]

Congrats Ken!! You have been one of my inspirations in FIRST since the beginning. Keep it up!

[Brandon Martus]

These forums wouldn't be as great as they are without the wisdom of Ken Leung.
Congrats, Ken.



i thought i fixed the bug causing this to show up early. hmmm.

[Cory]

Ken for President!!!!!

I was wondering when he would be nomianted for the UFH award.

Seriously though, Ken rules. California would be a very different place for FIRST teams if Ken wasnt around. Heck, all of FIRST would.

Working with Ken to plan up the Cal Games at my school this year really helped me realize how much he really does. You hear about all the things he does, but it doesnt really sink in until you actually work with him. We spent tons of time hammering out details, and that was just a fraction of everything he works on. I seriously wonder how he can handle everything without a mental breakdown of some sort

In 2002, Ken was on our team as a mentor. I still dont know how he managed to help 3 teams at once, since he was almost always right there working late with us! I learned many many things from him during countless hours in the machine shop late at night.

It was a real honor to work with Ken, who is a true role model for all of FIRST.

Cory

[Jessica Boucher]

::drumroll.......:: And now, in congratulation for finally giving up and accepting the well-deserved UFH award, I bring you....EVERY SINGLE PIC OF KEN THAT I OWN!!!

Our first picture is of Ken trying....

...and getting flustered at DDR.

Again from Kickoff 2001, this is Ken & Robbio kicking the only piece of snow they saw that weekend.

This is on one of Dean's couches in his house...this and the next picture are framed on my wall, a gift from Ken for my b-day.

So, because of him, the infamous 'Antonwich' picture stays on my wall, one of the few FIRST-related things to actually stay in my dorm room.

More to come.....

[Jessica Boucher]

I feel like a proud mother showing off her pictures to strangers.

Know where this couch is? At FIRST Place...where a few hours later....

...Ken fell asleep, and later got yelled at for sleeping there. Hey, I dont blame him for sleeping, I would too after taking a flight from Hong Kong to CA and then the next morning hopping a plane to Manch-vegas! That's dedication!

These last two are at Nats, 2001. I don't remember what was going on in this picture...

...aaaand, thats it.

I haven't actually seen Ken since 2001, but we've kept in touch before that and ever since. I honestly don't remember when we first started talking, but through all of my changing feelings about FIRST and life in general, my friendship with him has always been steadfast. People say that I'm a voice of reason, but Ken is lightyears ahead of me.

Here's to a very intelligent, caring, and simply delightful person who has always been there for me. Before the next time I see you (which better be soon, my door at Babson is always open!), my Mom & I will be baking you dozens of cookies.

-Jessica B

[Greg Ross]

Congratulations, Ken. You deserve it!

[Mike Schroeder]

Ken, you rule you truly deserve it

[Andy Grady]

Ken,

You deserve every little bit of recognition you can get. Thank you for being a great competitor, and a great person!

-Andy Grady

[Ryan Dognaux]

Ken always has something to add to a discussion Congrats, you deserve it!

[JVN]

Originally Posted by Cory

Ken for President!!!!!

I was wondering when he would be nomianted for the UFH award.

Ken has been up for UFH since the very beggining of the program. After he talked me into accepting the honor, he promptly REFUSED to take it himself. This just goes to show the type of person Ken is.

His contributious to FIRST, and to the community are too numerous to list. The people in this program that he has positively influenced too numerous to imagine.

There would be no troubles in the world, if everyone was like Ken.

Thank you Ken Leung, for being the amazing person you are, and for everything you've done.

I'm glad to say you're my friend.


Ken-- You define the term UFH. Enjoy the honor, you CERTAINLY deserve it.

Friend of Ken L,
John


PS - You're famous buddy!

[FotoPlasma]

Ken, you're awesome.