UFH: Wayne Cokeley

[Adel Hodiwala]

words can not describe the impact that this man has had on so many students lives, whether he knows it or not

i know that as i attempt to write this i will not truley be able to express in words the impact that Mr. C has had on me and it is probably better that way because he is an individual that you really need to know to realize what a diverse and unique person he is.
His patience for the program and his students is tremendous. i believe that this is what has allowed team 25 to prosper for so long, and is what keeps the students coming back, whether it be active High schoolers, or alumni (ask big mike)

The team in general like many first teams, (esp. in the early years) went through a lot of hardships which would drive any sane person away from the project. But it truley takes a certain type of person to be a FIRST coach, Mr. C is without a doubt one of these gifted individuals.

His drive to the team and students who look up to him is incredible, it truely bares witness to the legacy that i feel he has created for himself.
He is an genuinly amazing and caring teacher, no in fact he is the definition of what a genuine teacher should be.

He spent the majority of his time trying to better our team, i honestly think that we and FIRST became a part of his family

By just observing over the years that i was in FIRST the way he carried himself and dealt with each obstacle that came in our way really left an impact on me. I learned about how FIRST really is about so much more than a robot competition, it is about team building and the individual. Mr. C knew this better than anyone i met throughout my whole FIRST experience. Truly one of the few teachers in my HS years that gave me actual guidance on where i wanted to direct my future.

Bringing the program into our school and sticking with it is something that i will always be so eternally greatful for, it was easily the best thing that i could have had in my life at the time

I realize more and more as i get older about how much of a positive impact he and his work ethic have had in my life. Im really glad youve gotten the recognition that you have becuase it is quite overdue

So MR. C thank you so much for your hard work and patience it is truly something that i will always be greatful to you for. Whether you realize it or not you have instilled in me morals that i will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you





hes a really funny guy too, you should hear him rap sometime

[BandChick]

Like everyone else above me, congratulations, you really deserved this!

Cokeley to me was more than just a mentor or a teacher or an advisor. The more time I spent around him and around both 1089 and 25 the more I realized that he is like another father to me. He guides and teaches and inspires kids to strive for things that before don't even seem obtainable. I've watched him do amazing things with the kids on 25 and it makes me want to keep coming back and find some way to help as much as he has. In fact, I've watched the hours that he puts in with 1089, a team that he puts in extra time to help mentor and it fills me with pride. His kids are even interested in it, and they, I'm sure take their ques from him.

Cokeley is one of the most inspirational people I know, and I'm really happy that he finally got his just desserts. Congratulations again!