This weekend’s Pittsburgh Regional was my last FIRST competition (at least on the student end of things). I am a senior this year, and the first and only 4-year member of my team. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the FIRST community for the effect its had on my life. Before FIRST, I had never really found my niche in my school. Sure I dabbled in soccer and Model UN, but until FIRST there was nothing that made me feel that I was part of something important. The FIRST organization is a strong one, and I know that it will continue to grow itself, and help the students and mentors that participate in it to grow personally as well.
I’d like to thank the members of Team 1, who mentored our team at the CDI four years ago, and have watched out for us ever since. They are, in a sense, our big brother team.
I’d also like to thank Team 47, who has covered our back in the past as well, including Mr. Martus, who saved my own personal behind at an OCCRA competition a few years back.
There are also all the teams that we have made many successful alliances with over the years.
I’m not sure what next year will bring me, but I will always have the past four years in FIRST. Thank-you all.
-Nick Seidl, Team #448, Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School
Nationals will be my Last competition with Team 151 I am a three year member of the team, During my Time on this team, I don’t think I’ve ever learned so much or met so many cool people. I will truly miss all of you while I’m at college in Boston, I’ll come back as much as I can to visit. I would also like to thank the members of team 166 with out you guys I’m not sure what I would have done on those really late nights waiting for auto mode to be finished tweaking CODE FASTER!!!hehe anyways, I would also like to thank all the engineers at BAE SYSTEMS for there support over the years and helping me realize my place in life, * a loud over energized kid in a red hat who is really good at talking to people I would especially like to give a shout out to Mark Lande, he does not frequent these board, but he recently enter surgery for blood Clots, Man Mark you have some of the coolest hair that I have ever seen I want hair like that someday, And your still the tallest engineer that I have seen, Bryan, I always knew when I was doing some thing wrong from that lookGLARE* that you gave me, I thank you for always correcting my Mistakes and helping me out when I got made about something, Laura Lee, you have such a cool hat, I thank you for being there when I was feeling down on my luck and giving me advise when I needed it on what ever I was working on. I will miss the smell of the Guarde, and the rear mill after a hard days work, I will miss the times of sorting washers and being able to tell newbies what to do. I have the Utmost respect for all of you and I will never forget any of you. Goodbye and have a wonderful day
Aaron Lussier, Team 151 Nashua High School and BAE SYSTEMS