“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
– Helen Keller
ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT
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Alumni-Volunteer Natalie Wenzel
“I was a student in FIRST programs for 7 years on FLL, FTC, and FRC teams. It was during my time in high school that I started mentoring FLL teams in my area and eventually a neighboring FRC team. Since graduating high school I have been mentoring and volunteering ever since. FIRST to me means empowerment. FIRST has shown me so many more skills outside of turning screws, but that I have the power to solve problems ahead of me with unique and innovative solutions. I think while the technical skills learned through FIRST have helped many with outstanding life paths, the biggest lesson learned with the program is the ability and the determination to speak your mind and approach a situation with a critical eye. If it wasn’t for FIRST I wouldn’t have the confidence to be graduating with a STEM degree this Spring. I would recommend FIRST because there really is a place here for everyone. It is such a fun and inclusive community and what better way to show off your hard work through coopertition! It really has changed my life and will easily continue to do so, and I don’t know a single person who has competed that wouldn’t say the same.”
Please join us for a virtual lunch as our community of over 15,000 students, 5,500 coaches and mentors and 1,300 event volunteers come together to support FIRST Washington. There is no cost to tune in and this is a fantastic way we are bringing our community together. We will hear a few stories of how FIRST programs have impacted students’ lives and recognize our 2019- 2020 award recipients from FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge and our Dean’s List, Chairman’s award winners for FIRST Robotics Competition and Woodie Flowers nominee.
We are stronger together by working together, so sign up today https://firstwa.org/changetheworld/. Share this link across your social media networks and encourage your friends, colleagues to join us. Consider hosting a virtual table for your team, with simple instructions on the FAQ’s of that page, https://firstwa.org/changetheworld/.
It’s going to be a great event, celebrating our accomplishments together all while raising funds to support FIRST Washington’s programs and teams. It would be fantastic to have each of you participate!
CALL TO ACTION
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FIRST Washington’ s Virtual Showcase and Awards Ceremony,
next Friday, April 17th, noon-1 p.m
STAYING HEALTHY
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What it means for PNW events
Like you, we are saddened by the need to postpone events that were scheduled for this spring due to COVID-19. We know how much work teams put into preparing.
Our staff are working hard on options for rescheduling FRC events in the fall, in addition to preparing for all of our program events next season. We are also developing contingency plans for a variety of scenarios regarding the size and type of events that may be allowed in the fall. We will share dates and details as soon as the situation becomes more clear. In the meantime we hope to reconnect with all of you at our Virtual Showcase on April 17 (see details above).
Please see our website for the most up to date information.
At FIRST Washington, we want to make sure that you are connected with your community. How are you connecting? We’d love to hear about it and leave you in control of posting to our newest Facebook group: Friends of FIRST Washington & ORTOP.
During this strange time in our society, as we all practice social distancing, we need to find a way to stay connected with each other. The FIRST Washington and ORTOP community is unlike any other, we need to band together to get through this. As we all know, our FIRST Washington is not about building robots. It’s about what “WE” do together, to make the world a better place.
That is why we have created a new Facebook group, called Friends of FIRST Washington and ORTOP. We want to give you guys an opportunity to be in control of something and connect with each other. This Facebook group will be a chance for you to post what your teams are doing to help your communities through this pandemic, fun activities to keep the students engaged in STEM, or whatever else you think the PNW FIRST community needs to hear. We want you to use this as an opportunity to not only connect with individuals from the FIRST Washington community but to build your community out. Connect with people you don’t already know, share your knowledge, learn new things!
COMMUNICATION MATTERS!
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What are You Doing to Stay Connected with Your Community?
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
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FIRST Robotics Competition
While the FIRST Robotics Competition was cut short, we would still like to thank everybody who made Clackamas, Glacier Peak, and West Valley events a success! It’s a great reminder how much we rely on volunteers to make these events happen! It takes a community
CHANGE THE WORLD
FIRST WASHINGTON
VIRTUAL SHOWCASE
& AWARDS CEREMONY
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Friday, April 17th
Noon – 1pm
We’re hiring FIRST Washington’s next President! If you or someone you know would be interested, please visit https://firstwa.org/careers/ for details.
ARE YOU LOOKING TO TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
