UFH: Matthew Leese

[RoboMom]

Yeah! A UFH I actually know!
Three years ago, when I started hanging around FIRST, I noticed Matt hanging around too. Only he was always working, while I was usually finding some excuse to talk with somebody. There he was always resetting the field, or working the queue, or looking official with a headset. He spent days at the Maryland State Fair, and has always helped with the Chesapeake regional. He's got a great sense of humor and I trust his opinion on anything I've asked him re: FIRST. But best of all, he's "been in FIRST way too long" and can answer questions I cant get from anyone else about the history of Team 007 (Parkville Knights back when he was on the team.)

He's also got a great Dad. You'll often find Sterling Leese at the local events.
Congrats!

[Dorienne]

Matt!
Congratulations, you're such a cool FIRSTer. I'm so glad you got UFH, you deserve it.
You do so much, from what I see at regionals and off-season competitions. You have tons of GP and really are an example to all FIRSTers. Congrats, you definitely deserved this! =D Love ya man, hope to see you in March!
--Dori 007

[Arefin Bari]

"The main advice that I can give to FIRST-ers is to stick with FIRST if it’s what you love but realize that there are other things in life and that FIRST will change. It’s important not to only center your life around FIRST as there are things like school, work, and friends that are just as important. It’s important to have a balanced life and not become obsessed with just one thing. The other issue is that the experiences you had in FIRST in the past will never happen again. Instead, you can have new adventures. The key is that they will be different. No two years are the same. No two teams are the same. Don’t try and make them the same. I’ve seen a lot of people who were dedicated to FIRST drop out because of one of the two above reasons. Both are very important to consider." - Matthew Leese.

That is such a true advice pointed out by Matt. I used to think that there is nothing but FIRST that I need to take care off... but i was wrong. I also need to take off my family, school, work... and more important... my friends. First has given me a lot... a new life, a lots of friends. I appreciate what FIRST has done to me... if there was lack off people like our 20th Unsung First Hero.. FIRST wouldnt be there where it is now. You are well deserved for this honor.
Congrats Matt...

[Matt Leese]

Originally Posted by JVN

That's not recently?

Well, not that recently. That's a year and a half ago.

Matt

[A. Snodgrass]

I agree with John. That IS recent......although not horribly so. Congrats on winning the UFH award Matt!

[patrickrd]

Hey Matt,

Congratulations! You definately do deserve the award for all the work you put into FIRST, especially in rochester. And I remember you giving the same advice (about keeping a well balanced life) several years ago when I was struggling with how to balance FIRST with other things... In retrospect, I did start exploring other things about the same time, and I'm glad I did. Anyway congrats again. Hope to see you at a regional (maybe rochester) this year.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congrats Matt, I don't have any stories...yet!
Keep up the good work and good luck in school.

[David Kelso]

Congratulations Matt..

The first time we met in person was at the end of your 8 ? hour drive through a major snow storm so that you could be at kickoff. Before that, I believe you were the one to advise teams to use clamp-on Ammeters to solve robot motor problems. Because of you, Sears sold out ! You have been helping teams and FIRST for years and always seem to maintain that Positive Attitude that is needed by all of us.

I will also remember that you were among the first to congratulate me in April when I won the WFA. Since my team was not present, seeing old friends (getting by the guards from the stands) really helped make the moment more important to me

Keep it up
dave

[Andy Grady]

Matt,

Congrats on UFH. You are definately one of those people who truely deserve it! Not to mention, its always great to see one of the very few surviving members of the Rambots Chat come out with recognition. One quick question...do you remember the FIRST Football game in 1999 at the All Star?!?!

Great Job Matt!

-Andy Grady

[Rich Kressly]

The official cutoff for "recent" is one year.
Sorry John.
Oh yeah, um, Congrats Matt.

[Rich Wong]

Congratulation Matt!
The advices in your UFH essay is so true.

Best wishes with the inaugural Finger Lakes (Rochester) Regional.
They are lucky to have you at RIT.

[rees2001]

Way to go Matt, It's great to see you get this. You really are a dedicated FIRSTer. It was especially nice having you down on Newton last year. Are you going to be helping us with our new regional this year? I hope so.
Again you are a great FIRSTer, & I feel I'm a better able to challange my students by knowing you.
Thanks
Rees

[Andy Baker]

Matt,

Way to go! It is great to see you get some deserved credit. You have not only mentored many teams and students, but you have also changed the image about what a mentor is.

I remember, a few years ago, when a few college mentors were frustrated with FIRST. FIRST did not know if these college students were mentors or if they were just high school alumni. FIRST did not invite them to the Kickoff or the Founders Party because they were not over 21. You and some of your fellow college mentors protested a bit, and FIRST listened. Now, college mentors in FIRST are more respected and appreciated, thanks to you.

You 'da man,
Andy

[Jessica Boucher]

Matt-
How long have I known you? I can't even remember. But I do have many hysterical memories with you, and I am very thankful of all the times that you've let me vent to you. Maybe one of these years I'll actually take you up on visiting RIT before you graduate.
-The other "perv"

[Erin Rapacki]

Congrats Matt!

Also, I really appreciate your advice to college students in your UFH write-up. It's nice to hear from people who have survived through it.

Great job with UFH!!