How Has The Concept Of 'Paying It Forward' Made An Impact On You Or Your Team?

[JaneYoung]

Paying it forward is the idea of doing something helpful or kind for someone with the hope that they will pay it forward and do something helpful or kind for someone else. We often spend time here in CD talking about what we are doing or what our team is doing. It has made me wonder if there are stories out there that celebrate what others have done for us and if anyone would like to share.

Several years ago, I met a woman bursting with energy, humor, and intelligence, who had an incredible perspective on what it takes to be involved on a FRC team. Her name was Wendy Austin and she was with her rookie team, FRC 1902, Exploding Bacon, competing in Houston at the Lone Star Regional. Ideas and suggestions spilled out of her like a beautiful fountain of knowledge. This from a mentor on a rookie team. I met her in the hallway while she and one of the students were working on something spirit-related, using floorspace to spread out some posters. From there we touched base with each other throughout the regional competition. She shared some ideas with our students and made a suggestion to them about the jewelry they had made. When the regional was over, she came and found me to invite me to visit the Florida Regional the next season. It had never dawned on me that I could travel as a volunteer to other competitions and participate, help, and learn from them. That was how I began to really understand the potential of being involved in the FIRST programs and sharing what I learn with others. The enthusiasm and wisdom of a rookie made an enormous impact on my life as a FIRSTer and as a person. Thank you, Wendy.
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Do you or your team have a story?