Judging of Woodie Flowers Award

[Kris Verdeyen]

Originally Posted by D.J. Fluck

There are so many deserving individuals out there that really deserve that award...im thrilled to see the addition of the regional WFA.

/edit - Just saw Karthik's similar post - but read me anyway, for I mention the chairman's award as well/

I agree that the regional WFA is a good idea, as is the regional Charman's award. But it seems wrong to make the current year's regional chairman's and WFA award winners the only ones eligible for the championship honors.

The Chairman's and WFA are both like lifetime achievement awards. It makes sense from FIRST's point of view that the teams that win the CA at the regional are the teams that the national CA winner should be picked from. The winner will be the proverbial best of the best.

From the regional's point of view, however, it doesn't make any sense at all to pick the same team for the Chairman's award, or mentor for the WFA year after year, even if the team or mentor is still a dynamo. It makes more sense from the regional judges' points of view to spread these awards around, to be able to recognize all of the deserving teams and mentors.

The rub is that the team or mentor each regional "sends" to nationals to compete for the CA or WFA might not be the team or mentor from the regional that has the best chance of winning at nationals.

Fortunately, this problem has an easy solution. All we have to do is allow a team that has won a regional chairman's award in the last three or five (or whatever number is decided to be within the judge's workload) years to compete for the national CA. Allow any past regional WFA winner who is nominated again to compete for the national award.

What do you think?

[Eric Bareiss]

I'm sure there a lot of people who know exactly how you feel Joe. They just aren't willing to admit it in front of everyone. The Woodie Flowers award is supposed to go to a selfless individual who mentors others. But at the same time why shouldn't you hope you win it?

FIRST mentors seem too humble to me. They stand up and receive their award and say, "Oh my, this is too much, I don't deserve this." I want to see someone stand up and yell, "YEA! it's about time!, I worked my butt off all these years and I finally got mine, HAHA!"

It's a paradox, you are giving credit to someone for doing something special. But the reason it is so special is because they aren't getting credit for it. Sometimes you just have to admit that you worked hard and you deserve it.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Joe Johnson

Let me say, in the interest of full disclosure that I covet this award.
There is no award that FIRST gives out that I believe is more rightly awarded year in and year out.

I am serious. Every year, I hold my breath as the award is anounced. Every year, I cross my fingers, hoping that my students decided to nominate me (they don't tell us who they nominate) and that their nomination was the winner. And EVERY YEAR, I scream with real emotion, "Worthy, Worthy, Worthy!" when I hear the name of the actual winner. Joe J.

Joe,
I cannot agree with you more! (Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa) The Woodie Flower's Award is important in that it tells us we are doing a good job. I consider myself blessed to know or have met most of the recipients. To be close to this group and discuss FIRST issues with them, is one of the treasures of being involved as an adult. I would also like to comment on the recent practice of having previous recipients present during the award ceremony. It must add an incredible emotion to an already charged ceremony. It reminds me of Eagle Scout ceremonies, where all Eagle scouts in the audience are asked to congratulate the newest member of the group.
I, like you, are in awe that each year's winner is so deserving. I can remember the emotion I felt when Andy Baker was announced last year, and how great it felt to know Andy and many people on his team. My only thought was to get a chance to congratulate him as soon as I could. I hope one day to do the same for you and any of the fifty others I can think of right now who are deserving.

[Chris Fultz]

I too am in awe of the WFA recipents at both the regional and national level.
It is fantastic to read and hear the stories and learn the impact these individuals are having on their students and their community.

As a relative newcomer (3 years and counting) to FIRST, I find it incredible that so many mentors have been involved for 10 years or more, often on several teams and in several capacities.

I hope the Regional WFA process continues, with that group of 26+ then being eligible for the National award. I also think it is great that previous WFA recipients announce the Regional recipient.

[Rich Kressly]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

...I would also like to comment on the recent practice of having previous recipients present during the award ceremony.

Liz Calef read Dave Beck's announcement in NJ. The fact that Dave is a teacher and Liz was the first teacher to win the award was awesome.

I'll also add a little tidbit I learned form Andy Baker in Atlanta. A few members of the WFA committee fought hard for the regional awards to be announced on Friday at the awards ceremony instead of Saturday. Reason? So that individual could spend all of Saturday being congratulated. Bravo!

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by Rich Kressly

I'll also add a little tidbit I learned form Andy Baker in Atlanta. A few members of the WFA committee fought hard for the regional awards to be announced on Friday at the awards ceremony instead of Saturday. Reason? So that individual could spend all of Saturday being congratulated. Bravo!

Giving credit where it is due, JVN came up with this idea. Last fall, I polled a few people for suggestions about this process (Steve Shade, John, Jason Morrella, etc.) and John had this idea. So, he's more than just a pretty face.

At one of the regionals (Sacramento), they postponed announcing the winner until Saturday because Steve's family and co-workers were not attending on Friday.

Andy B.