WOODIE FLOWERS AWARD

The Woodie Flowers Award “celebrates effective communication in the art of science, engineering, and design.” The Award recognizes a mentor who has inspired and empowered his or her team through the use of excellent communication skills.

Each team may nominate one mentor to be considered for this recognition. The students must describe how their mentor has been involved in terms of “engineering and design.” Students must cohesively and poignantly explain how this mentor has empowered them to better themselves and their communities through inspiring them to understand the challenges they’ll face in the real world, giving them to the tools to overcome such challenges, help make opportunities available to students, and move students to recognize the satisfaction of being involved in FIRST.

The nomination MUST be made by students. Nominations by adults will not be considered.

Mentors who have won a Woodie Flowers Award at a regional competition will be eligible for judging at the national level. Students may resubmit an additional nomination for regional Woodie Flowers Award winners for up to two years after their initial win.

OUR ‘WOODIE FLOWERS’ WINNERS

Dan Rupert
Woodie Flowers Award 2007
San Diego FIRST Regional

Mr. Dan Rupert, our team advisor, won the Woodie Flowers Award at the San Diego FIRST Regional in 2007. He was selected because of his unwavering dedication to supporting students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and opening the door for them to succeed in math, science, and engineering. Not only does Mr. Rupert serve as advisor to the Midnight Mechanics, but he is also an integral part of Team San Diego and the San Diego Regional Planning Committee. We will never forget the weekends spent at his house, building our robot out of his garage or the long car drives home after school. The stress that we put on his shoulders (and on his credit card) cannot be measured, but neither can the love he has for our team. After five years of teaching at the Preuss School, Mr. Rupert continues to inspire students through his motivation, sacrifice, and refusal to give up.

Robert Mainieri
Woodie Flowers Award 2006
National FIRST Championship, Atlanta, GA
Woodie Flowers Award 2005
Los Angeles FIRST Regional

Mr. Robert Mainieri, team advisor, won the Woodie Flowers Award at both a regional (2005) and NATIONAL level (2006)! Mr. Mainieri championed FIRST in San Diego – starting the first FIRST team at the Preuss School in 2001. Since, he was instrumental in the spreading of FIRST to other high schools in San Diego and in the establishment of Team San Diego Robotics Coalition, uniting these San Diego FIRST teams. During his tenure with FIRST, Mr. Mainieri served as FIRST Senior Mentor and was a major part in bringing a FIRST regional to San Diego. Today, Mr. Mainieri continues to play a big role as a mentor to FIRST teams throughout San Diego, especially the Midnight Mechanics. There is no doubt in our minds that Mr. Mainieri deserved recognition as a national Woodie Flowers Award winner – his commitment to the Preuss mission, to breaking the glass ceiling to kids like us, and for acquiring support for FIRST in San Diego and southern California cannot be measured by any individual (in our opinion) :).

NEED HELP WRITING YOUR SUBMISSION?
If you need help writing your Woodie Flowers Award submission, contact us! We have students on hand to assist you with every aspect of putting the nomination together. We will even supply you with our past Woodie Flowers Award submissions and coach you through every step. The Midnight Mechanics believe that the Woodie Flowers Award is one of the biggest “Thank Yous” for a FIRST mentor. Let us help you bring one home to your team!

"Through FIRST, I have been able to build friendships that I am sure will last my entire life."
KATRINA WONG, Midnight Mechanic

Katrina Wong (right) entered the magical world of the Midnight Mechanics as a freshmen in high school. She began her FIRST career as a member of the Community Partnerships department, organizing and facilitating community events. At the Los Angeles Regional, her first regional, she was excited to meet students, like Monica Fernandez (left), who were just as crazy about FIRST as she was. Today, although Monica is off at Purdue University, she still maintains contact with her fellow Midnight Mechanic.

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