UFH: Wendy Wooten

[Karthik]

A big congratulation goes out to Wendy. I met Wendy this past year when she brought her team all the way out to Toronto for the Canadian Regional. She really understands what the 'I' in FIRST stands for.

[Bharat Nain]

Congractulations Wendy, well deserved!

[Mr. Van]

I'd like to be the first to state that I would not be involved in FIRST if it were not for Wendy and the same could be said of the some 200 students who have been on our team. On their behalf I must express our sincerest and deepest gratitude. Thank you Wendy for making the adventure possible.

So, lets start a list of teams that have been started, mentored and supported by Wendy Wooten and the fantastic members of Double Duce. We'll start - and I know there are many others out there.

Team 599 - RoboDox from Granada Hills Charter High School (2001)

-Mr. Van
Coach, 599

[KarenH]

Way to go, Wendy! You definitely deserve this honor.

[ChrisH]

All teams in Southern California have benefitted by Wendy and the things she does. Her real job is FIRST. That little gig with LAUSD just pays the bills.

She initiated a couple of big ideas that have spread country wide:
1) The weekend before ship scrimmage. (started in 99?) Last year's scrimmage in Chatsworth had more teams than some Regionals
2) Pre-Season seminars for teams. (started in 2000?) Last year's had several hundered attending.

In both cases the event grew so large that they could no longer be supported by a single team, so she got SCRRF started. To help organize the support. She is an amazing woman and I'm glad to know her.

ChrisH

[Krystine T.]

GO WENDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! Wendy's has had such a gigantic impact on my team that I don’t even know where to begin. Almost every aspect of Team 60 has been improved by Wendy's input. So many of the things we do originally came from Wendy and Team 22. For example, our FLL Camp, FLL Competition, Scrapbook, and Marketing Manual have all been successful thanks to Wendy. Whenever Team 60 has a question we always go to Wendy for the answer.

Not only has Wendy affected Team 60, but she has also set a great example for myself and other young girls involved in FIRST. I always look forward to seeing her because she always has something interesting to teach.

So thank you Wendy for all of your hard work. You truly deserve to be the Unsung FIRST Hero.

Sincerely
Krystine Thoroughman

P.S See you in a couple of weeks!

[Amanda M]

Congratulations Wendy! There's no one that deserves this moe than you!

When I was first involved with FIRST and team 60, everyone always talked about how nice Wendy Wooten was, and how great she did with her team. I can see why. She is one of the most wonderful people I have ever met through FIRST, and she really deserves to be UFH.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congratulations!
It is people like Wendy that have helped this program succeed. It is this kind of dedication that makes this country so great. Hope we have you around for many more years to come.

Anybody that does not know the story about the works of Wendy Wooten really needs to take some time and learn. Seriously, this lady is FIRST's definition of a mentor who goes out and beyond the call of duty with her squad out on the west cost.

Congrats to Wendy, this is a well deserved honor!

[BionicAlumni]

I know this is a little late but I couldn't let this thread go by without posting

Wow, where can I start with Wendy Wooten. The only way that I can think is to start off with a little story from a long time ago. During the 2000 FIRST season, the team I was a part of got a call and an invite participate in the chattsworth scrimmage. At the time we were beyond strapped for cash, and were looking into doing anything to get there and cram all in a hotel room. After finally deciding that there was just no way that we could make it out, we called Wendy to give her the news. When she heard why, she told us not to worry about it and to just come out and we could stay at her house. Now let me tell you that Wendy had never ever met any of the people she is now inviting into her house. She also informs us that she won't be at her house when we arrive, that she will be helping set up the field at the school. She then tells us to not worry about it and she will leave the door open and make ourselves at home.

Now, how many people do you know that would completely open up a house to about 6 high school kids they had never met? I don't know if I would do it, thats for sure.

Thats just one of the many stories I have heard and experienced about Wendy. She is the most selfless person I have ever met. Wendy shows day in and day out exactly what FIRST is about.

If anyone really should win this award, its Wendy!

[DougHogg]

Wendy and Team 22 are champs. I will never forget our rookie year in 2002 when we attended seminars on FIRST at her school. Many of the seminars were led by Wendy's students who did a great job of teaching us things like how to wire up our robots. It was a boost we badly needed.

Since then, Wendy and Team 22 have been a continual source of help and inspiration.

Some people have a green thumb in the garden. Wendy has a green thumb for robotics. Whereever she goes, FIRST blossoms.

[Kristina]

Congrats to Wendy. Her committment to FIRST and her leadership never ceases to amaze me. Every regional, scrimmage, or workshop I've been to with FIRST, I've seen Wendy always offering a hand and being ever so friendly. She goes above and beyond the call of duty and she's someone I've always really admired.

Her work with bringing the spirit of FIRST out to the West Coast is so impressive and I know that team 691 wouldn't be where it is today without her. From fielding our late night calls, to helping us ship our robot, to being a friendly familiar face at the first out of state regional we went to, to dealing with the crazy antics of our lead teacher (the funny English man Kirby), Wendy has always been there for us. California really is fortunate to have someone as great as Wendy.

In the words of my team (who are far more into computer lingo than I will ever be), congrats to coolest woman with the coolest name, Wendy w00ten.