For a little while I was afraid that I would wake up and all the excitement of the past several weeks would disolve into the depths of my mind as a mere dream. Sometime between sitting in the bathtub at our hotel writing a speech for NASA and holding hands awaiting the announcement of the National Chairman’s Winner, I realized I was almost right. The friendships and joy that I have experienced as part of Cybersonics are just as powerful and motivational as any dream, and feeling the overwhelming energy that comes with every success is a dream come true. Success, of course, comes in many forms, and I could spend hours listing all the ways in which we have grown over the past four years. Winning Chairman’s, as Brandon would say, was a validation of this growth. It is beyond my ability to muddle together powerful enough words to describe exactly what that felt like. The greatest sastifaction was in seeing your faces filled with glowing smiles and streams of tears and feeling the warmth of your hugs and hand shakes. For years I have been lifted by your spirits and inspired by your many talents, and in those last minutes of Saturday at Houston, my last minutes at a FIRST competition in this capacity, I felt like I could fly. I couldn’t even cry, I was smiling too hard. Look at us now guys. What an amazing, life shaping journey this has been. I love you all so much. I feel so honored and proud to be your president and to represent such an incredible group of individuals. From the advisors, mentors, and parents, to the alumni and current members, you are all gifted and a valuable part of our success and you have my respect, support, and friendship in all that you do.
Thank you for the memories and the learning opportunities.
Keep the dream alive.
Your friend,
Kathryn