UFH: John L. Bugeau

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Thread created automatically to discuss UFH Honoree: John L. Bugeau.



Name: John L. Bugeau
Date Honored: 02-14-2004
Years involved w/FIRST: 4
FIRST Team(s): BAE Systems &, Nashua High School (0151), BAE Systems &, Merrimack High School (0166)
Role: Overseer for BAE Systems FIRST activities
Quote: FIRST is not about building a robot, it’s about building people. The Robot is simply an enabler. “It’s all good!”
Bio: John Bugeau is our next recepient of the Unsung FIRST Hero Award for his contributions and efforts for FIRST. John currently works with teams 151 and 166, among many others, and helps grow BAE SYSTEMS' involvement with FIRST.

John has done a great deal over his four years in FIRST: "In just four years, I along with a great team helped grow BAE SYSTEMS’ involvement in FIRST from one team with fourteen students to what today is one of our largest community outreach programs." This includes:

• Full sponsorship of two FIRST teams with almost 100 students between the two schools.
• Eight additional high schools supported financially through grants.
• BAE SYSTEMS Technical Internship Program for FIRST participants.
• FIRST students are mentored by senior staff members as they work on real projects side by side with some of the best technical talent in the industry.
• $1,000/year college scholarship each year to a graduating student from the Nashua and Merrimack High School teams.
• Sole sponsor of the BAE SYSTEMS Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics Competition.
• Sponsorship of over 40 FIRST LEGO League teams.
• Sole sponsor of the New Hampshire State LEGO Tournament.


When asked for his favorite FIRST memory, John told us, "There are too many memories to pick just one. That said, my first season with the team which included my first Regional and my first National competitions was truly memorable – I was blown away. Just the satisfaction of working with the students and seeing them mature as individuals as well as technically is my greatest satisfaction. I’ve made many lifelong friendships through FIRST both with students and adults. At the end of the day, I get more out of FIRST than I give."

John seems to do more for FIRST students than we realize. He leaves us with a bit of advice. "It’s not about wining or losing, it’s about the journey - you are all winners! For some of you, FIRST will be a life altering experience, it will give you direction, it will give you memories that will last a lifetime. For others, maybe not, but one thing for sure is that the skills you’ve learned through FIRST will serve you well your entire lives. You are the future and you’ve proven that your potential is limitless. Continue to stretch yourselves as you do with FIRST for I believe you have no limits other than those you impose on yourselves."

Congratulations to John Bugeau, and a very well-deserved thank you from all of us in the FIRST community.

Nominated By: Greg Perkins