Yesterday I graduated from high school and my career as a student team member in FRC comes to an end. To start, there are a few people who I have to thank.
First and foremost is the head mentor of 1257 and MAR Robot Inspector, Ms. Gerstein (jgerstein on CD). I have learned so much from her and I would not be the same student, FRC team member, pretengineer (pretend engineer), or person as I am today had she not been around. It would be difficult to quantify or list everything that she’s done for me, but rest assured that it’s a lot. Then I’d like to also thank the rest of the 1257 mentors and alumni for their constant support.
Then I’d like to thank Ron Rossbach (rrossbach), 2607 controls mentor and MAR FTA/CSA. There was rarely a time when I’d be with him and not also be learning. I also could not have been a CSA this year if it wasn’t for him recommending me the the volunteer coordinator of PAWCH. CSAing there led me to do it at the St. Louis Championship. I never could have done that had he not had the confidence in me that he did. There’s something to be said for people who are willing to take a chance on someone and give them a shot at doing something.
Kevin Dieterle (Deetman), MAR FTA Coordinator, also deserves a thank you for his taking interest and giving me his support in my CSHelpers initiative. It was very encouraging to know that someone in a position like that wanted the group to succeed. It was also refreshing to know that he didn’t feel that we were stepping on toes.
I also would like to thank Madi Wyatt (vmwyatt314), one of the captains of 1640, for a few things. Giving me a place to stay when I was being a CSA, teaching me the essential skill of CAD, and encouraging me with CSHelpers even when all but one of the companies I reached out to said no to any form of sponsorship of the initiative. Her constant support of the idea was always very reassuring. Again, there are many other things I could say here. There are countless other friends that have helped and supported me over the years so I’d like to thank them as well for everything that they have done.
Lastly, the group of individuals that can never be thanked enough. The volunteers. They put in many many hours of work and make lots of sacrifices so we can have good events and that in itself is something to be extremely thankful for. I have always felt like this, but having had my first experience setting up and tearing down a field at MidKnight Mayhem I have a whole other level of gratitude. It’s not an easy process. And to do it in the early weeks of the season is even more amazing. So to every volunteer who takes time out of their probably very busy lives to make sure that we have a good time, thank you.
All of these people have inspired me in some way or another and I can never thank them enough for their support and encouragement.
I would like to mentor a team someday. I have decided to follow the advice of everyone I asked and I will not be mentoring until I’m at least half way though college. I want to know how I’ll function with college work before I make any commitments to another team. But to all of my friends on 1257, I’ll always be here if you have any questions. And I’ll visit when I’m home. I started volunteering this year and have absolutely loved it so I will be continuing with that through college and hopefully for many many years after. There’s probably not a whole lot I can do to pay it back to the volunteers from my time in FRC but what I can do is pay it forward to the students for years to come.
Thanks again 