UFH: Wayne Penn

[CD47-Bot]

Thread created automatically to discuss UFH Honoree: Wayne Penn.



Name: Wayne Penn
Date Honored: 11-30-2006
Years involved w/FIRST: 7
FIRST Team(s): Ford Motor Company/FANUC Robotics Inc./B&,K Corporation &, Utica Community Schools (0217), The McGraw-Hill Companies/Columbia University &, Morris High School Campus &, Professional Children's School &, Fieldston (0395), Mass Bay Engineering/PIAB &, Norwell High School (0348)
Role: Student/Engineer
Quote: The fundamental responsibility of a mentor or leader is to inspire others to step up to the plate, take responsibility, and become new leaders.
Bio: Wayne Penn is an outstanding volunteer with a lot of experience. Wayne has served on a number of FRC teams, and has held different roles with them: "On 395 I served as the lead student mentor from Columbia University, overseeing our FIRST mentoring efforts as well as served as strategy coach. On 348, I’m heading strategy and scouting."

We asked Wayne about his favorite memory in FIRST, and he gave us this gem: "My favorite FIRST memory was when one of my students came to talk to me post-season. He had told me that neither him nor his family expected him to graduate from high school nor was he really motivated to do so; this unfortunately is a common mentality that we see with our students in the Bronx. FIRST gave him something to look forward to everyday and served as his motivation to focus in school. He told me that he appreciated that I never game up on him and showed him that I believed in him, which helped him build a lot of confidence. I asked him what he wanted to do, and he replied go to college, study science, and mentor others like you did for me. I promise everyone coming into FIRST at least one magical moment; this was mine as a mentor."

Wayne also has quite the list of accomplishments behind him. "Victories are made everyday on and off the field. Over the past 4 years, we have been fortunate to have numerous Regional Championships, a Regional Chairman’s Award, a FLL team that has made it to the World Festival 3 times, where I was given the FLL 2002 National Invitational Adult Mentor of the Year Award (which is the coolest trophy I’ve ever received, completely made out of Legos!). I’ve also had the honor of serving as the Emcee at regionals and at the Duel on the Delaware. I’ve also served on the FIRST and FLL Planning Committees in NYC and Boston. But more importantly, I think of my FIRST accomplishments as every student who now believes in themselves a little more or a little differently, pursues higher education, and has had their life changed by FIRST. Last year I spearheaded a project that we call the Region 2 Robotics Initiative, to get more schools and students involved in FIRST and FLL. We grew our Regions FLL teams to 45, more teams than in any other borough in the New York City area. We ran bi-monthly workshops for students and teachers at the Region office with support from University mentors, engineers, and FIRST Robotic Team Members from the Region. The workshops were always fun gatherings with free exchanges of ideas. The Initiative has grown even more in its second year and will continue to be an integral part of 395 and 1230s yearly activities. Every student exposed to FRC, FVC, or FLL and who is challenged to think is a FIRST accomplishment."

Wayne also had a short but sweet blurb to tell those who are interested in FIRST: "FIRST is about telling students YES YOU CAN; we just have more fun doing it than anyone else."

Finally, Wayne had a bit of advice for his fellow FIRST participants. "It is the people in FIRST that make FIRST such a great organization. Take every opportunity that you can to meet and talk to students and mentors from your team and others alike. Everyone has a story to share or a lesson to be conveyed. Take the time also to show your appreciation for the diverse and dynamic group of people that you are privileged to call mentors, teammates, or FIRST friends. Remember, it is your actions, what you learn, and what you share with others on an everyday basis that defines you in FIRST, not what you will win or have won."

Congratulations to Wayne Penn, our next Unsung FIRST Hero.

Nominated By: Micah Siegel

[Billfred]

Congratulations, Wayne!

[Steve S.]

Congrats!

[Erin Rapacki]

Congrats Wayne! Glad we have you here in the north

[KathieK]

Finally, Wayne had a bit of advice for his fellow FIRST participants. "It is the people in FIRST that make FIRST such a great organization. Take every opportunity that you can to meet and talk to students and mentors from your team and others alike. Everyone has a story to share or a lesson to be conveyed. Take the time also to show your appreciation for the diverse and dynamic group of people that you are privileged to call mentors, teammates, or FIRST friends. Remember, it is your actions, what you learn, and what you share with others on an everyday basis that defines you in FIRST, not what you will win or have won."

Another gem of advice to add to my cubicle wall. Thank you and congratulations, Wayne!

[Bethany Mc.]

Congratulations, you are a great person for this honor!

[roborat]

Congrats Wayne. We meet you in 2005 and had the pleasure of winning the pittsburgh region with your team as one of our alliance partners. You have been a class person every time i have meet you since. Nice job and congrats again. Rickey and team 1249 (RoboRats)

[Paul Copioli]

Congratulations Wayne. It's about time and you deserve it.

For those of you that don't know Wayne, he has been a class act since he was a high school student. Believe it or not, when I first met Wayne he was a shy, not very talkative, Junior in High School. While on the ThunderChickens he grew into an outspoken, passionate leader. Good luck on your new endeavors Wayne.

-Paul

[Mr MOE]

Way to go Wayne!!!!

Congratulations to a well-served recognition.

Thanks for everything you do, every person you have touched, and, recently, for being a fantastic emcee at the Duel on the Delaware!

Go Wayne!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congratulations, Wayne!

"For those of you that don't know Wayne, he has been a class act since he was a high school student. Believe it or not, when I first met Wayne he was a shy, not very talkative, Junior in High School. While on the ThunderChickens he grew into an outspoken, passionate leader. Good luck on your new endeavors Wayne.

-Paul"

Why am I not surprised?!?

[StephLee]

Congrats, Wayne, this is very well-deserved.

I had the priveledge of meeting Wayne at the Pittsburgh regional last year, when he was pulling double duty as the MC and coach for 395. Hopefully I'll get to compete with them again; they really impressed me.

[Rich Wong]

Originally Posted by Erin Rapacki

Congrats Wayne! Glad we have you here in the north

We want him back! (You guys are so lucky!)
Wayne, you have left some big FIRST Mentor shoes to fill in NYC!

We miss you here. Where am I going to get another FLL Head Referee and Emcee?

Everywhere we turn, the NYC Committees see, remember and talk about your wonder work that catapulted the mission of FIRST in the NYC area. Your influence is not only in the Bronx but also throughout the whole city and New Jersey area.

I had a wonderful experience working with with you during all FLL and FRC events.
You are professional, courteous, and focus.
Oh, yet you’re a lot of fun too.

Congratulations, a well deserved award.
Best wishes in all you do.

[Liz Smith]

Congrats Wayne! You are truly someone to look up to!

[Noah Kleinberg]

I knew this was just a matter of time... Wayne was an amazing mentor and drive coach on 395 last year, and his dedication to and energy for FIRST is obvious. He managed to, at the Pittsburgh Regional last year, MC and coach on the field at the same event. FLL in the Bronx has grown at a tremendous rate, and 395's success overall has been hugely affected by him. The dynamic between Wayne and the students, both FLL and FRC (not just from his own team), along with the FLL coaches, is a testiment to the impact he has had on them and their enormous respect for him.

Congratulations, and good luck in the future!

[jgannon]

I had the pleasure of meeting Wayne at Pittsburgh last year, and he is an absolute class act. At both the regional and the championship, he went out of his way to make sure that our rookie team had everything we needed to be successful. This is a well-deserved honor... the man lives and breathes FIRST. Congrats, Wayne!