Thank you to everyone on team 103, students and mentors, who made this year one to remember. This year has been one for the records. But the past four years have been a blast and left me with many memories in which i will never forget. I wanted to post this because i want everyone to know how much i appreciate the work that everyone on my team does. Our success could have never been achieved without the efforts of every single member. We are not just a team, we are a family and I’d like to thank everyone for making this experience so special.
Well, Rob beat me to it, but it doesn’t surprise me at all as, at this point, so many 103 members think alike. I want the entire FIRST community to know how lucky the mentors with team 103 are. We are truly a family, one who cares deeply about one another, deeply about the mission of FIRST, and deeply about creating a better future for everyone. We are lucky to have dedicated students who share common goals and a tremendous desire to achieve them. The student members of 103 share an incredible combination of tenacity and professionalism that leads to awesome results time and time again. The mentors are all proud of our Judges Award at J&J and Championship at UTC, but more importantly we are proud of the people our students have become through the FIRST experience. This is especially true of our seven graduating seniors, who are all pursuing futures in science, mathematics, and/or technology. We are certain these seven will make a diffference in the world and that is what FIRST is all about.
With love and admiration,
Kres
Yes it certainly has been a wild ride. All the things we learned, the relationships we formed, and the memories we’ll have are priceless. Smile and envision the moment of victory at UTC or the time you tightened the last bolt on Ball Flogger II. Chuckle when you think of wresting Beck on the mock playing field carpet or of Kressly telling one of his classic jokes to ease the tension. Laugh when you still hear Mrs. Beck’s laugh or see a piece of Disney memorabilia. Remember Jack’s sarcasm and his ability to sum up a situation in one memorable sentence that I cannot type on this public forum. We have a great organization with great people that value our participation, friendship, and love greatly. They are great people and we are great people. Thanks to all of the older members for teaching me your skills and sharing your lives and thanks to the new members for being accepting and having the desire to learn. Our group is so diversified in character and talent. I love each member for his or her unique gifts. Next year will be differnt without the invaluable contribution made by our seniors. I have become so comfortable with the idea of their existence that it is hard to imagine a tech year without them. We will continue to uphold the incredible standard of teamwork and achievement set fourth by our alumni. Lets charge on into the 2003 season with the same determination and great Karma we have now. Holla back. Love to all.
-Brandon
Blood, sweat, tears…
Well…reading these 3 posts has meant alot to me, and i think it is my time to post my thank yous.
First off I would like to thank our wonderful advisors for the dedication they have, sacrifices they make, pain they endure, and the love they give no matter what. The last four years of my life have been shaped by these people and I owe alot of my character and knowledge to a group of four people: Dave and Cathy Beck, Jack Tusman, and Rich Kressly. These are the type of people who you will remember for the rest of your lives and keep in touch with. To these four i would just like to say thank you for everything, it could not have been any better.
Now on to my fellow team members, it is you guys who make us what we are. There are no labels that are put on a team at the start of the year. Everything we have, we earned it all and we just have to remember that. You guys have made the last four years of my life wonderful and this years group is one that I will never forget. Our team this year has exemplified the meaning of FIRST in my eyes, and I could not be more proud to be the president of any other organization. There is a drive on this team, where people do things because they want to, not because they are forced to or feel they should to make someone else happy. You guys all do things because you want to. That is one of the greatest qualities of our team…Thank you very much for always being there, and for cheering even when our robot was having a very good streak. I don’t think any of you guys truly realize how much you mean to me…or how much this team means to me.
To Rob, wow thats all I can say wow. Look at what we have done, its simply amazing. Think of the team four years ago, it was a squandering unproductive unit and look at it now. What we helped happen is something that most people never see, and we can’t forget that, sure we may not have done well in FL, but I am so proud of the team and of you. Thank you for the last four years, it has been wonderful and without regrets.
Finally, the last four years of my life have been so much better because of this program, the people I’ve met, the things I’ve learned, the experiences I’ve gone through are things that will be with me always. Thank you for everything. I’m going to miss the team next year but I know that it rests in good hands and I will always be proud to say I am a member of Team 103.
Pat
This year has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. For the first time, I realized that I was a part of something very special. Our team has grown so much in the past year in so many ways and I feel that I owe a debt of gratitude to team 103.
Without the support of our advisors, our accomplishments would have never been as great as they were this year. Our advisors support us in any way possible and it is a great feeling to have. I always look forward to their smiles in the mornings, their encouraging words when we lose a match, and the tears of pure joy when we succeed. They realize how important everything we do is and it is just as important to them. Not only do our advisors support us, but they can relate to us on a personal level as well. Only our advisors would get yelled at for wrestling with team members in the hallway of our hotel in New England, or give advice to anyone who was in need of an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on, or would walk around Florida wearing a Goofy hat just because his students bought it for him. Dave and Cathy Beck, Rich Kressly, and Jack Tusman are four people who have showed me that when you are passionate about something, anything is possible.
I would also like to say thank you to the seniors. Our group of seniors this year are some of the greatest people I have ever had the opportunity to know. They have spent the last four years of their lives dedicating their time into transforming our team into what it is today. Throughout this year I have had the opportunity to get to know each of these wonderful people better than before, and I have found that none of them cease to amaze me. Year after year they have strived and yearned to make this team something that anyone could be proud to be apart of. I would just like to say that I couldn?t be prouder to be a part of anything else.
Our drivers this year are also seniors as well as our team?s President and Vice President. All of our successes over the past three years could not have happened without these two people. They have been the driving force behind our team, always encouraging others to do their best and do what is in the best interest of the team. To Pat and Rob, I have the deepest admiration for you both, and I know that because of your experiences these past four years, you both will do great things. Thank you for being you and taking this team places it has never been before. It will never be forgotten.
Finally, I want to thank the rest of my team members. Each and every one of you are so special and important to the success of our team. Even though we are different people, we all bring something unique to the team and we wouldn?t be the same without any of our members. Every one of you is extremely talented, and these talents are proven time and time again. This year we have worked so hard to improve our team spirit, and I feel that it has paid off. Who would have ever thought that we would win a team spirit award? That just proves to me that when we put our minds to something, anything is possible.
This team has taught me so much about life, relationships, and about myself. The friendships that exist within our team are truly unique. We all share the unspoken knowledge that these will be some of the greatest times of our lives. The feeling I get from spending time with the team is something I know is very rare and one I should treasure.
So I would just like to say thank you again to everyone who has made this year our most successful one yet and I look forward to another great year. I love you all.
Allison
I just wouldn’t feel right if i didnt throw my two cents in ;o)
I don’t even want to contest with all the beautifully written prose though, so here is my somewhat creative, definately strange approach.
i believe that every person
has the power to change the world
every connection we make
is an opportunity unfurled
by touching just one life
one can make a postive change
and you have all touched my life
in more ways than i can explain
you have been my friends
a source of laughter and of tears
safety and support
and precious memories through the years
i cant thank you enough
for all that you have done
for the good times and the bad
the learning and the fun
i respect you and i love you
and i just want you all to know
that no matter what may happen
no matter where you go
i am here for you and will always remember
the greatness of our team
you have the power to do anything
and can pursue any dream
to the seniors whom i will dearly miss
go foward with courage and with pride
you can take whatever is dealt to you
because you are one us inside
never forget the togetherness
the bond of family
the late nights and the dedication
the thrill of victory
we are going to the top
we have got what it takes
we will be stronger
because of our heartbreaks
never again
never before
never to be forgotten
you each have a place in my heart
i love you 103
The Cybersonics Technology team is definitely something out of the ordinary, hardly a team, but more of a family. When i first joined the Tech team last year, it was without knowing anything about it, just that my brother did it, and said it was something i should look into. turning in my application the last day before the deadline, I was unsure of my choice. As the year went on, i was intimidated by the upperclassmen and advisors, and was just trying to fit in. once the competitions rolled around, and I saw how close we came together for that, I knew i wanted to do it again.
At the beginning of this year, I hesitated in joining the team again, but after having a talk with a few mentors, I realized that quiting the team was not at all what i wanted. Being assigned the team photographer kept me busy, and was also very entertaining. As the competitions came along this year, I knew what i was getting into, and could not wait, Rutgers was a lot more fun this year, seeing as how i managed not getting lost. Though the upset in the play-offs, it was still entertaining watching other teams practically drool over our pit display, robot, and team unity. When UTC came, and i “stumbled” across a press pass, I knew it was going to be a lot of fun. Experiencing a championship win firsthand was the most exciting thing I have ever done in my life, all of the positive energy, and seeing the reactions of our drivers, as they happened, and getting it all on film was more than I could handle. I remember running over towards Rob, Pat, and Mike as the Time ran out on the 3rd match of the championship, and all of the excitement I felt. Tears of joy filled everyones eyes, and I began to see more and more, of what Cybersonics is all about.
Even though the disapointment with the robot at Nationals, with the ball system, and that dreaded last match, it made no difference in how I felt about this team, we have accomplished so much this year, and it helped me realize, how winning actually isnt anything.
I have managed in making better friends in the past two years through Cybersonics, than with anyone else in my life, and I know I can turn to anybody if a problem ever occurs. We truly are a special group of people, even the bus driver managed to notice that, after only spending a week toghether, not knowing anything about us previously.
The season is not over, there is still Tunkhannock for us to create more memories, and to tell stories about past experiences. Lets go there and show them what Cybersonics is all about.
I would like to thank all of the seniors for all they have done for the team in the past 4 years, I cant imagine the team without you, but unfortunately, next year we will have to do without you. Each and everyone has guided other team members and it is greatly appreciated. We will miss you all. I would also like to thank all over the other team member and Advisors for helping make this past year, one of the best in my life, I know I am always welcome with the team, and that means a lot to me.
and now…
to out-do Kathryn’s poem…
Roses are Red,
Violets are Blue,
Cybersonics, winners of UTC
in 2002…
Ha, cant blame me for trying…
I love you all
Josh Jenny