UFH: Kristen Kelso

[CD47-Bot]

Thread created automatically to discuss UFH Honoree: Kristen Kelso.



Name: Kristen Kelso
Date Honored: 01-31-2006
Years involved w/FIRST: 8
FIRST Team(s): BAE SYSTEMS/Rockwell Automation/University of New Hampshire &, Central High School (0131), St. Thomas Aquinas High School (1307)
Role: Mentor
Quote: "It is kind of fun to do the impossible.” – Walt Disney
Bio: Kristen Kelso is a dynamic college mentor in New Hampshire, working with teams 1307 and 131 as well as the local FIRST Lego League. When asked to describe in-depth her activities, she gave us this description: "I do as much as I can and go where I am needed most. My main role on team 1307 has been to act as a liaison between UNH and Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. I have also organized activities for the high school students to work on during their week-long winter term robotics class and I mentor them throughout the season. Now, as an alumni mentor of 131, my main role is to help my father stay sane. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. This season, I have been assisting 131 in the design of their new website, fundraisers, their FLL Tournament, the creation of an alumni association and mentoring the high school students during the FRC season." Her first sentence sums up her dedication to the FIRST program.

We asked Kristen to give us a favorite FIRST memory, but this proved hard for her. "It has been a pretty crazy eight years. Almost every FIRST memory is a “Favorite FIRST Memory”. Topping everything off though, would have to be going to the 2005 Championship Event with Team 131. I spent the 2003-2004 & 2004-2005 seasons mainly focusing on 1307. It was amazing to be able to go back to my “family” on 131 after being away for two years. C.H.A.O.S. has and continues to impact my life in so many ways, I am so grateful to be back with the team that started my passion for FIRST."

Kristen also gave us a list of her accomplishments in FIRST over the past eight years: "The highlights of my FIRST career have been the RCU, Girls Connect and the UNH Robotics Club. Advocating the involvement of girls in FIRST, I co-founded that RCU in July of 2000. In high school, the RCU gave me unique opportunities to meet new people, then work with them to reach out to the girls involved with FIRST. Although I am not as involved as I once was, I still enjoy working with the leadership committee and observing all that they do. Girls Connect is a one-day workshop that introduces girls in middle school to LEGO Mindstorms in preparation for FIRST LEGO League. I helped found Girls Connect in New Hampshire in 2003. Since its inception, this workshop has served over 300 girls in the state of NH and helped start and fund 16 all-girl FLL teams. This workshop has had a dramatic effect on the number of girls involved with FLL in NH. (Help start a Girls Connect workshop in your state!) Originally, I was going to take a break from FIRST during my freshman year of college. Instead, I became the president of the UNH Robotics Club. The club now mentors two FRC teams, one FLL team and is active in hosting two FLL tournaments."

When asked to describe FIRST to an outsider, Kristen thought it impossible. However, she did give great advice to her peers in FIRST. "Take as much as possible from your involvement with FIRST and learn from your mentors. The teachers, engineers, alumni, parents and high school students in this program are incredible people. So take as much as you can, strive to develop the qualities that you admire in your mentor, and then turn around and BE A MENTOR."

Congratulations to Kristen Kelso, our next Unsung FIRST Hero.

Nominated By: MattK

[Amanda Morrison]

Congratulations to Kristen Kelso, our next Unsung FIRST Hero.

[TD78]

Congrats Kris!

[Andy Grady]

Kristen is one of the hardest working individuals I know. Her efforts in promoting FIRST, FLL, and other FIRST based programs make this honor well deserved. As a teammate, she is top notch...she lives, breathes, and bleeds CHAOS. Congratulations and keep up the good work kiddo!

-Andy Grady

[Chris Fultz]

Kristen

Congratulations Kristen -

You know this means you have to volunteer at the IRI again for 2006!

[Arefin Bari]

Congrats Kristen. Since the time I met you, you keep amazing me with all you do. Hope to see you sometime soon.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congratulations, Kristen. Stories like yours are enlightening to mentors. We see that students are capable of so much and can act on what they learn. Keep up the good work.

[Michael Sperber]

Congratulations KJ!

A true FIRST hero!

[Lisa Perez]

Congratulations, Kristen! Thank you for all you do for FIRST.

[Jessica Boucher]

Congratulations, Kristen!

Kristen is the quintessential 2nd generation FIRSTer. She's done so much to help her family - youth will have to live up to what she's accomplished for decades to come. She is committed to NH and 131, and in a time where I see people giving up on teams all too early, she has been dedicated to hers.

This is the main reason why I entrusted the RCU to her and named her co-founder. As I was leaving high school, my priorities were changing, and I really needed someone that would be dedicated to the cause as I moved on to college. What I remember most was her reluctance to share the Founder title with me, which is so rare in a time where people are incredibly self-serving. It's why I brought her on board in the first place, and I'm thrilled with what she's accomplished.

She is a spectacular New Englander, although I still don't forgive her for choosing engineering over her art. You are so talented!

It's really good to see the UFH committee broadening its horizons and letting really worthy people like Kristen have this honor. Last time you came through the queue, I was too frightened to speak out for someone that I believed in and instead voted with the trends of the time, which I regret. I'm glad they've made this right, and I hope to see more of this in the future!

[KathieK]

Congratulations Kristen! Forget about keeping your father sane, there are a lot of us other mentors who need help keeping sane, too!

[Tim Delles]

Congrats Kristen.

[Greg Perkins]

Congrats Kristen!!! For all that you do, you darn deserve this!

[Barry Bonzack]

Congrats Kristen. The RCU continues to grow and help many girls in FIRST and is a wonderful organization you helped found. Bravo for a wonderful career in FIRST from one college mentor to another. If you are in Atlanta, come find me, I'm looking forward to meeting you in person. Congratulations again for the well deserved honor.

[nehalita]

Congrats Kristen! You definitely deserve this. I am so glad I got to know you these past months and you live up to all of the dedication that you are honored here for. You are what I would like to call an "action woman" a person that doesn't just say it will get done but actually GETS it done. I don't know what you use to keep you going but let us in on the secret! You've also come through for anything I've ever needed or felt needed attention. By listening to your peers, you show another part of you, a side ready to take visible problems and fix them.

To put it plainly, I'm glad you're getting the recognition you deserve. Kristen Kelso is unsung no more =).