Mentor Recognition Week

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Katie_UPS

I'm a person that loves to read FIRST stories. Does this mean that people should still share their mentor stories? *hope*

I have a thank your mentor story. My story is a thank your mentors story.

Very recently, I re-joined my favorite FRC team, FRC 418, LASA Robotics. I was absent from the team for the 2008/2009 season. Our team competes in BEST and in FIRST, so I missed a lot. Yesterday was one of the camp days of our annual SMART Camp and I attended. It was my first opportunity to spend a day with the team and with the parents in the Parent Association. It was a beautiful time watching the campers partner with members of the team to learn about building, programming, and about our team. I also had fun helping with the shop tours for the parents that hung around. It was a good day.

What that triggered though, was the thankfulness that I have for the interactions and mentoring that I have received from mentors involved with FRC, FTC, and FLL teams throughout the country. The mentoring has come from travels to off seasons, regionals, the Championship, and through private messages and e-mails. Technical mentors and non-technical mentors have taken the time to share their wisdom, positive attitudes, and team histories with me. In doing so, it has allowed me to be on the receiving end, able to bring that inspiration back to my region and to my team. Mentoring is very humbling and very real and it helps create change.

My list is very very long but I would like to acknowledge and thank a few that have been patient, kind, selfless, and filled with humor in teaching and mentoring me: Andy Baker, Sarah Plemmons, Al Skierkiewicz, Heidi Foster, Mark McLeod, Chris Fultz, Wayne Cokeley, Wayne Penn, Kathie Kentfield, and Jenny Beatty.Their generosity and sharing of knowledge and experience is empowering, energizing, and earnest, and I am a better person for it.

I'd also like to thank Tony Bertucci and Danny Diaz for the promise of adventure, excitement, and life-changing experiences that they continue to offer as lead mentors for FRC 418.

With respect,
Jane Young