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Engineer Gregory Andries: "FIRST has provided me an opportunity to work with students on
"real life" engineering problems. The high school students are provided a unique
opportunity to build a simple mechanical device out of raw materials. I have really
enjoyed working with the students, teachers, parents and fellow engineers on the FIRST
program for the past five years. The FIRST program has allowed me to learn more about
myself, has helped me work better with others, and has taught my student teammates skills
and knowledge that will become an important part of their life experience." |
Alumni Angel Serrano: "I absolutely love this program. When I was a student all I did was think
about First. I would often just stay after school and not even go home waiting for the
meetings to start. I was excited every time and I guess that is the biggest reason why I
keep coming back as a volunteer." |
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Engineer
Lindi Rose: "In December of
‘98 I came to CT to work at Pratt & Whitney as a co-op. My very first day of work
my mentor, who was one of the team leaders at the time, got me to go along to a FIRST
meeting and see what it was all about. From day one I was hooked. The students and
engineers on the team became my friends and helped me get through the difficulties of
being away from home. When I returned home I kept in contact with the team and part of my
reason for deciding to return to Pratt was because of the experience I had while involved
with FIRST and the impact this team had on my life. I love this team. I don’t believe
I’d enjoy working with any other students as much as I enjoy working with the
one’s from Hartford Public High School, because I feel that being an inner city
school, myself and other adult members of the team are making more of an impact on these
students’ lives than students from a more affluent school. We are opening their eyes
to science and technology and giving them opportunities they may not otherwise have. That
is exactly why the long hours and hard work are all worth it. FIRST is a great program, I
only wish my high school had had a team!" |
Student Kate Gallagher: "Joining FIRST has been one of the best decisions that I could have made
this year. My two older brothers have participated in the program and have enjoyed it. In
the beginning, this year I was asked if I could help with some paper work. But that all
changed when I met the engineers and students. Something sparked, I became more interested
and spent more time at FIRST. FIRST showed me commitment and responsibility. Never have I
enjoyed such an enduring and worthwhile program." |
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Engineer
Andy Blair: "What are you
doing to forward the progress of Team 181???""Four
years ago I moved to Connecticut. I heard about this robotics program that was getting
started and thought it’d be a great way to meet some people. I’m still amazed
everyday by the students and engineers I’ve met and the relationships I’ve
formed. I’ve often thought about moving from Connecticut to get closer to family and
friends in Ohio. But, every time I begin to think that way, my mind always comes back to
Team 181 "The Birds of Prey". There is something so special about the
friendships formed when everyone is under the gun of doing so much in so little time–
something so special that even when it seems insane to keep coming back and putting the
kind of time in that we do, I just can’t seem to pull away." |
Student Melinda Guzman: "Dedication, commitment, responsibility. Through FIRST I have had an
opportunity to really know what it means to be all of the above. FIRST has made me more
open minded and knowledgeable. I was able to express my leadership skills and with that, I
was able to learn that in my heart, I am a leader." |
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Student Tianna Glass: "Joining FIRST was a wonderful experience for
me, because it taught me to open up as a person and stop being shy. I earned a chance to
participate and feel like a part of not only a team, but of a large and welcoming
family." |
Engineer
Amy Brewer: "First there is
the excitement of the building of the robot, but after that wears off and burn out sets
in, it is seeing the growth of the students during that short period that brings me back
every year to do FIRST. I enjoy watching how the engineers and students react with each
other, and how the students learn to work together as a team. I always find when I think
this is my last year with FIRST, it is seeing what the students get out of the program
that makes me return." |
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Student Natasha Garcia: " The FIRST team means a lot to me. We
are more than a team we are a family. This past winter, we lost one of our most talented
engineers, Mike McCoy. We stuck together and the engineers pulled through for us. Without
FIRST I wouldn’t have a smart engineer as a math tutor, but also a mentor, someone I
can talk to. I also appreciate that there is finally a program where students who are
interested in science and technology can finally expand their world of learning." |
Engineer Ben Hall: "F.I.R.S.T
makes me feel guilty. Am I supposed to get so much from this program? I've learned new
skills, made new friends, and had some of the best experiences of my life. FIRST gives me
the opportunity to work with students from Hartford who are outwardly so different from
me, with students who initially intimidated me, with students who continue to challenge,
frustrate, and inspire me. I'm addicted. I just hope that I can give to the students as
much as they do to me." |
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Student
Khuong Vu: "FIRST is a
program that has further expanded my horizons in engineering. The preparation and actual
building of the robot intrigued me to pursue my interest in this field. FIRST has truly
fulfilled its acronym. It inspired me to recognize science and technology." |
engineer Gary Hilbert:
"I believe in the FIRST concept of bringing students, teachers & engineers
together to work as a team on a fun, interesting and challenging project. I think everyone
benefits and learns in many ways from these interactions. For me personally, FIRST gives
me the opportunity to remain connected with young people now that my own children have
grown." |
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Student
Erick Rodriguez: "What does
FIRST mean to me? FIRST is an experience of problem solving and a taste of the real world.
It is also a great way to meet new people. In this program you experience the field of
engineering. So far it has been one of the best programs that I have been a part of. I
would also like to thank all of the engineers and teachers for volunteering to work with,
us it means a lot to us." |
Engineer
Kimberley Sullivan: "Students
of the Birds of Prey, thanks for showing me the unlimited potential that exists in
Hartford Public High School. I'm very proud to be one of your teammates. Mike, thanks for
teaching me so much. I'm sorry that I'm not using what you taught me this year. It's just
too painful to work on the drive without you. Thanks for positively impacting so many
people. I'll never forget you." |
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Engineer
David Shahan: Because this is my
first year with FIRST, I see it primarily as a chance to meet new people and make friends.
By working with a group, learning with them, and collaborating with them in overcoming all
the challenges of creating something new, I’ll eventually come away with something
memorable and meaningful. I look forward to working and learning with the students.
Hopefully I will too help them experience something memorable and meaningful. |
Alumni
Nery Cruz: "First to me was
the beginning of my career as an engineer. It motivated me and guided me into the career
path I'm currently on and influenced me in my choice of schools. First was also my family
away from home. It taught me a lot about friendships, communication, conflicts, and most
of all how to have fun and still do something that is worthwhile. I love my Birds of Prey
family and will always be a bird of prey in heart." |
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Alumni
Heriberto "Eddie" Rodriguez: "To me personally FIRST has been an inspiration. It has changed my life
completely. I went from being a "C-D" to a straight "A" student; from
wanting to become an accountant to being an undergraduate student at CCSU, majoring in
Mechanical Engineering, with a GPA of 3.2. If it weren't for FIRST, I would probably be
working in a minimum wage paying job. Thank you, FIRST." |
Engineer
Jennifer Chu: "Two years ago,
a good friend told me of a volunteer program he was in and how amazing and fun it was
despite all the long hours and hard work. I thought he was crazy. His enthusiasm and
dedication to these kids and the program persuaded me to give it a shot last year and he
was right! It was hard work, but a lot of fun! Since then, these kids and the program has
become a big part of my life. They remind me of why I chose to be an engineer in the first
place - the hands on experience of making something out of nothing, the feeling of
accomplishment at the end of six grueling weeks standing there looking at the final
product, the fun of learning something new. The friendships that are formed at FIRST are
not only with the other volunteer engineers, but also with the all of the students. It is
rewarding to watch these kids learn and see them develop over the years into amazing young
men and women." |
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Student
Ricardo Cruz: "FIRST has allowed me to experience a career field that usually
wouldn’t be open to me. I also enjoy all of the fun we have with the team. I made
some strong friendships with the engineers as well as with the other students. I think of
this team as a family." |
Engineer Denman James: "Technically, FIRST is a program intended to
interest high school students in science and technology; fortunately it turns out to be
much more than that. There is no other project that embodies learning, friendships and
personal growth as much as the FIRST robotics program. I have gained more personal
satisfaction from working on our team than from any project that I have ever worked
on." |
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