2010 Dean's List Submission

NOTE: Last names have been omitted.

Cameron's Nomination Essay

Without a doubt, Team 1987 member Cameron T. personifies dependability, integrity, and gracious professionalism. For three years, Cameron has made FIRST Robotics his number one priority, and in that time, he has changed Team 1987 and our community for the better. He is, by far, one of the most outstanding members of the FIRST family.

Cameron joined FIRST as a freshman with Team 1782, but wanting to be more involved with a yearlong FIRST experience and a more integrated engineering education, his family moved to Lee's Summit, Missouri, and he joined Team 1987. Even before he was introduced to his new team, he volunteered at our summer camps and helped prepare the build site for a new season. He repaired plumbing, electrical wiring, added insulation, repaired the roof, cleaned carpets, and did anything required to make the site hospitable for the team. Cameron has always gone above and beyond for FIRST and its participants.

Cameron's attitude and work ethic are unmatchable. Even after 15-hour robot build days, he doesn't complain and asks only how else he can help. He never limits himself to one aspect of the robot or the team but is constantly expanding his repertoire. Through the Project Lead the Way Program, a nationally recognized engineering curriculum, Cameron is one of the most technically astute members, having completed Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and Digital Electronics, and he's currently enrolled in Computer Integrated Manufacturing. Clearly, Cameron has the technical skills well beyond most of his age. Thanks to his maturity and responsibility, Cameron has also been entrusted to operate all machinery, and he has even taken on teaching other students to safely use these machines.

Above all, Cameron has been dedicated to quality. His craftsmanship is impeccable, and he stops at nothing but perfection. As one of the lead designers, builders, and mechanics, he knows every inch and every detail of the robots Team 1987 creates. More importantly, Cameron can explain each aspect in the most non-technical of terms. In this way, he has been an excellent teacher for people of all ages and all abilities.

Cameron has transformed over the years from a timid speaker to a confident leader. Not only has he helped lead our team; he has helped lead the community. Since joining our team, Cameron has been involved in all presentations to schools and companies such as Honeywell, Cerner, Grainger, and Kokam America. His involvement also includes transporting and driving the robot. He always does more than is asked and thinks nothing of lending a helping hand for any occasion.

One of the most remarkable things about Cameron is his ability to give. He gives his time and talent to everyone in the FIRST community. Cameron mentored seven weeks of elementary summer robotics camps and led the efforts to build the playing fields. He has worked at the Greater Kansas City Regional and mentored for Team 2894. He helped fix robots for other teams at the Kansas City Regional and the Denver Regional. This past November,

Cameron and another Team 1987 member spent until midnight the eve of an offseason Kansas City event repairing the competition control system. Without Cameron, this fix could not have been made, and the competition would not have run so smoothly. Cameron constantly thinks of others, even when there isn't a robot repair to be made.

For over eight years, Cameron has volunteered with local food pantries and Special Olympics and is always looking for a way to give back. Cameron's experience with Special Olympics led him to invite Team 1987 members to get involved with what is now an annual team event. He puts others above himself without exception.

Cameron T. is everything desired in a FIRST student. His eye for detail, heart for others, and love for learning is supreme. Not only has he motivated Team 1987 to do more, but he has pushed himself to learn more, teach more, and give more.

Becky's Nomination Essay

For the past four years, the name "Becky H." has been synonymous with passion, drive, and dedication. No other student has given so whole-heartedly to the FIRST program than this senior. Her list of contributions is vast and unmatchable, and her effect on her team and the entire FIRST community is unparalleled.

Becky started in the fall of 2006 as one of the founding members of Team 1987. From the very beginning, she embraced FIRST and all of its ideals. She quickly took on the role of head of Public Relations, and she has expanded her work to include Website. After the first season, Becky taught herself Photoshop and Corel Video Studio to use different media programs to spread the FIRST message. Since then, she has created weekly videos every build season, and she runs the team blog, posting multiple times each week. She doesn't stop when the six weeks are over: Becky posts new pictures and video year-round. Through her work, every team activity has been documented and shared with the community.

For the past two years, Becky created a made-for-TV movie about FIRST and Team 1987. This year's fifteen-minute video, shown on the city's government channel, covered the FIRST program and included interviews from many student members. Not only is 1987 the first team in the area to accomplish this goal, but this has allowed Team 1987 to share FIRST with an expanded audience. Her work with media projects has attracted a local Time Warner Cable (TWC) Connect a Million Minds representative who provided a Flip camera to help TWC spread the FIRST message. Their involvement is a direct result of Becky's work.

Currently, Becky splits her time between school, working at an auto repair shop, and robotics. Her academic accolades, such as Student of the Month and Engineering and Industrial Technology Student of the Year, prove that her work ethic is strong. Her mark is on everything she does. She is well known throughout the community thanks to her four years of volunteering at the Greater Kansas City Regional, her involvement in local FIRST recruitment commercials, and her work with other FIRST teams. Volunteer Coordinator of the Greater Kansas City Regional, Alison Maier, calls Becky one of her "outstanding volunteers" for both the Regional and local events.

Through the course of four years, Becky has attended every one of the over one hundred Team 1987 activities. She has mentored Team 2894 of Kansas City, has helped run seven weeks of elementary summer robotics camps, and has led presentations at over 15 local schools and over 20 local businesses, such as Honeywell, Cerner, Grainger, and Kokam America.

Becky is constantly creating opportunities for Team 1987 and other area teams. She has helped get involved with the Special Olympics, FIRST Lego League, and Operation International Children. Becky never stops working for the good of others. Head Referee of the Greater Kansas City Regional, Robert Dumler, has said the following about this FIRST leader: "If she gets involved in something, it is full throttle ahead. She has helped the Lee's Summit School District bring awareness of FIRST Robotics to our community through the Economic Development Council. She helps students, parents and the community understand what FIRST is all about. She communicates with a voice that makes people listen and pay attention." Teacher Lynn Griffith notes that Becky's work ethic propels team progress. She doesn't have to be asked to get something done; she always knows what steps come next. Team member Kayla C. adds "when there's a problem, Becky has at least two ways to solve it".

Becky H. is devoted to FIRST and what it represents for students everywhere. Her positive, gracious attitude is infectious. Becky uses every opportunity to extol the virtues and values of FIRST, and she always puts the team, the community, and the FIRST program above herself.