May 2020 | Issue 5 – Community Newsletter

 DONATE

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

MEMORIAL FIRST SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

____________________

Congratulations

Joanna Peng

“Our team is like a family where mentors care about each student through teaching, listening, and guiding them to their greatest potential. We see them as the next generation of leaders. What they learn and become is more than just possessing a great capacity for knowledge; it includes selflessness, creativity, team building, and the awareness of and a genuine caring heart for the world they will encounter. Joanna Peng joined our team over three years ago with all these qualities already guiding her, we gave her an opportunity to demonstrate and grow her abilities, and she has grown stronger and more determined as a successful and caring leader every year.” – Scott Christiansen, Program Director, FIRST Robotics Team 3663, Cedar Park Robotics

Not only is Joanna the President of her school’s National Honors Society and ACTS Honors Society, she also was an intern with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center on HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Her dream to become a doctor has been reinforced, not only in her internship, but in her participation in the UPenn Summer Med Program and her experience with her FIRST Robotics Team. Congratulations and best wishes in your future endeavors, Joanna!

DEAN’S LIST WINNER

SPOTLIGHT

____________________

Congratulations Tiffany Toh

“In my 15 years as head coach of FRC Team 1540, the Flaming Chickens, I’ve mentored over 600 students, including one Dean’s List winner and two finalists. Tiffany Toh, my Dean’s List candidate for 2020, is the strongest I’ve ever submitted. Co-president for 2020-21, drive coach, Mechanical manager, Outreach manager, Chairman’s presenter, 4.0 GPA —she’s one of those rare people who can do it all. Dedication may as well be Tiffany’s middle name. At competitions, she’s the one with the tutu and the knee-high red rubber rain boots, who dances every dance and cheers every cheer. Her FIRST career began in 3rd grade; by 5th grade, she had led her FLL team to win at State. After being recruited in 8th grade by the coach of an all-boys, all-high-school FTC team, she rose to team captain within her first year. Now, on 1540, she’s logged over 1400 hours since 9th grade, averaging 40 hrs/week this season, the most in our 30-person team.”

“…The bottom line: Tiffany Toh is incredible. FIRST, in so many ways, she consistently exceeds expectations and embodies the passion and drive we strive for — and she juggles this with varsity swimming, conservatory-level piano, theater, community service, and an intense honors workload. I’m honored to be her mentor.” – Dale Yocum, FRC Team 1540 Head Coach

Congratulations Tiffany on your well-deserved award!

MICROSOFT ALUMNI NETWORK

____________________

Support FIRST Washington through your employer volunteer programs

Want one more way to be an effective volunteer? Alumni Network members get matching dollars for your volunteer efforts via the Microsoft Alumni for Good Challenge 2020. When you are making your decision, please consider FIRST Washington as your nonprofit of choice!

For more information about this program, please visit: Microsoft Alumni Network.

FIRST Washington | firstwa.org