Thread created automatically to discuss UFH Honoree: David Kelso.
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Name: David Kelso
Date Honored: 11-14-2003
Years involved w/FIRST: 11
FIRST Team(s): BAE SYSTEMS/Rockwell Automation/University of New Hampshire &, Central High School (0131)
Role: Team Advisor/Administration
Quote: “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” - Unknown
Bio: David Kelso’s FIRST history goes way back. Starting in FIRST in 1994’s Tower Power, Dave runs the C.H.A.O.S. team #131 from Manchester, NH. Dave handles “school/team coordination (travel plans, permission/medical forms) and all that awful clerical stuff. On the competition level, I design the tests to determine our drive team, divide students into subgroups and find assign students to any job that they can do better than I can. I also write the grants and beg for the money that keeps our team going each year.”
Dave has two great FIRST memories from past seasons. "After this much time, there are many. In 1995, when the Championship was inside Epcot, the pit was in a tent that had a guard. He only admitted people wearing team shirts. When Dean showed up for the first time part way through the day Friday (wearing his typical uniform), it was a real laugh watching him try to talk his way past the guard, until a group of us convinced the guard that he was “one of us”.
“I must say that winning the NE Regional in 2000 was one of my fondest memories. It was our only regional and the Championship was the next weekend. This team was special because it was comprised of a group of students that had so much to do with the design of the best attributes of the robot. We gave new meaning to the words “descore”. We had a very emotional week, from winning in Hartford one weekend to becoming National finalists one week later.”
A true mentor to the 131 students, Dave says that overall, “I think that my greatest accomplishment is that I provide the opportunity to students at our school to take part in FIRST.” He’s got his own list of personal accomplishments, too: "Our team is one of 4 in Manchester NH . As a committee, we organize River Rage each year. This event began as a demonstration in 1996 and now is the oldest ongoing post season competition. For 2004, there is a push to put this competition back at the school where FIRST began in 1992, Memorial High School.
"This year C.H.A.O.S. is running our second FIRST Lego Competition. This is a fun event that gives our team a chance to provide some younger students with a very exciting day. (I could still use a good technical judge who is very familiar with FIRST Lego League.
“Last year, I helped write and test some of the FIRST Learning Modules for the EDU Bots. I usually spend one week each summer as a volunteer at FIRST science day camps. At Battle Cry at WPI, in 2001, my team convinced Ken Stafford to continue an award that his team began the year before. The ‘Battle Cry Star’ award is presented to a team mentor each year. Nominations are now made by team members each year for this award that is so special for any mentor.”
Dave has a great tidbit of advice for FIRSTers. “Use FIRST as a medium to improve whatever skills and interests you have.” And of course, a plug for the team: “There is room in our C.H.A.O.S. organization for anyone who wants to really work for the team in whatever capacity that they can!”
Dave also gives a large amount of credit to his family. “My greatest FIRST accomplishment may actually have been that I got our daughter, Kristen, involved in FIRST. She has provided lots of motivation the last few years. Kris is also very hard to keep up with. From the RCU to FIRST Lego League and ZOOM public television, she keeps us on the go. Thanks must also go to my wife, Nancy, who joined the team in 2000. I guess she did not want to be left out of the fun any longer.”
Congratulations to David Kelso: FIRST mentor, family man, and winner of our eighth Unsung FIRST Hero Award.
/edit: Congratulations to David Kelso for being honored as the 2004 BAE Systems Regional Woodie Flowers Award! The entire Unsung FIRST Heroes Committee wishes Dave the best!
Nominated By: confidential
