Question of the Week!!! (7/19/04)

[Lisa Rodriguez]

Now, this will sound a bit corny but... Andy Grady

Although I did not meet Andy until sometime around the UTC regional, he probably showed me more about FIRST than anyone has before. In previous year, on my team, it was about our team, and only our team, maybe sometimes who we needed to do well. This year, our team decided to try and stop that, but old habit die hard. It was UTC alliance picking time and we were not in the Top 8, but doing fairly well. We had really only talked to one or two teams about being together. So I stood waiting, hoping to be picked. Low and behold, 126 picks us. There is much rejoicing, yet almost no reassurance, for, at that point, we had no idea who they were (our scouts were a bit...touchy and didn't like doing their job) But to our joy, 126 has Andy Grady amongst other fantastic people on their strategy team, and know exactly what's going on. I mean, they help up a sign saying who to pick 3rd round. All throughout the finals, we would play a match, then run out to the stands, and there would be Andy and his strategy team, telling us exactly what we needed to know and what to do. Not only would he tell us, but he would also listen, made sure we had no problems and then reassure us and tell us to go kick butt. We came in a very close 2nd.
After UTC, i would still talk to Andy, having previously seen him on CD. When nationals rolled around, we talked a bit more, disappointed we wouldn't have a chance to wreck up with them in the same division. But we had fun anyway! At least once a day, if not twice, Andy would stop by our pit, ask us how we were doing, and tell us we were gonna do great. We also had a scouting agreement to help each other out if we ever got to Einstein. Well, we didn't do so hot, but we still had fun, and that's what mattered.
Again, after the season, we still talked a little. It was only in the few weeks previous to Battlecry that i learned of Andy's past!
Never did i think one single person could be on so many teams!! It comes to light that no one dislikes Andy Grady, he is a great guy, and helps out everyone he comes in contact with it. Since he no longer offcially has a team, he announced at BC and had a good time doing it, still coming when he could to check on us, or talking to us while que-ed. What was espcially entertaining was out pit backed up to the crack in the bleachers through which we could talk to Andy. Many know, Andy won the BC STAR award, and well deserving.

Now, as this may seem normal to many, I had never previously seen this happen, such a nice guy, so well connected and so happy to just be at a competition. Andy Grady has truly left an impression.

[dez250]

Andy you have brought up a great question for this week.

Thus after long thoughts and great occurances i am going to have to choose the same person as Andy Grady did, Mr. Rich Wong.

I strated to talk with Mr. Wong last year about FIRST and the work he does in NYC. Recently though at the 2004 NJ/J&J Regional, I got to finally meet Rich in person. He worked as assistant field manager for Saturday to learn his role for the 2004 NYC Regional as Field Manager. I was invited to work a the Regional by Mr. Wong and Randy Schaeffer, the NY/NJ FIRST Regional Director. While at th NYC regional like Andy Grady was, i was reinspired through FIRST. Not many of the NYC teams have the oppertunites that many opther FIRST teams have, with their shops and budgets and other things, but they have prob the most enthusiasm and spirit that any team/group of teams in FIRST have. I learned alot that i had forgotten coming from a privlidged team and wish i could work more with the teams in New York City, because i believe they could teach me more. Rich has worked with many FRC teams and countless FLL teams and Fll events through out all of NYC and has done more then i think many of us will do for one state to spread the ideas of FIRST. I am honored to be able to attend the 2005 NYC regional once again as a crew member and would like to welcome all of you to come and compete or to help out there also. Once again, thank you rich for everything you have done for FIRST, NYC and for the countless people you have inspired...

[Rich Kressly]

Wow. Only one huh? Not to slight any of the dozens I could list here - mentors and students from 103, mentors/volunteers from around the country, ...
I'm going to say Meredith Rice from 433. 433 is a team that 103 has worked closely with in the past. Since my old HS Physics teacher (Bob Foell) runs the team I have always made an effort to stay in contact with them. They've got a super bunch of mentors and students and they're fun to be around. As a senior this past year Meredith (along with some other great senior leaders) took it upon herself to champion the cause for outreach among team members and out into the community and she also put together 433's first ever Chairman's Award submission. This led to a Judge's Award at the SC Regional, but it doesn't stop there. I also saw, thanks again to Meredith and others, that 433 had great young recruits who were, at the end of 2004, groomed and ready to continue the community outreach and Chairman's process for the team. I will always remember 2004 as the year 433 became a "complete" FIRST team in every sense of the word and how the spirit and determination of a single individual elevated the experience for the entire group. Thank you Meredith and good luck at the University of Delaware.

[Billfred]

I'm going to second Meredith, with honorable mention to the rest of the Firebirds at Palmetto. Between the fiveish of them, I think it really sank in that nobody in FIRST will bite...much. It helped me at least (and probably the rest of the team, too) sort out how everything worked, from meeting other folks to begging Fisher-Price motors off of other teams (namely us).

And even afterward, thanks to the wonders of AIM, she's been pretty helpful in listening to ideas and giving me some ideas for next year (even if she doesn't know it yet).

Long story short, she's just sple--wait, can't say that word (in-joke)--cool.