FOR INSPIRATION AND Recognition in SCIENE AND TECHNOLOGY FIRST

I am a leader in FIRST Robotics.  As a Highland Park High School (HPHS) freshman, my resume allowed me to be selected as a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Team Robot member to the Knee 5452.  My experience with Team 5452 taught me the mission of FIRST and motivated me to help grow the field of STEM and inspire others.  With vision and confidence, I founded FTC Team Vertigo 6287.  I joined forces with my co-captain to provide new team members with the same learning experience and inspiration.  My knowledge of FIRST enabled me to organize a diverse team of future engineers and programmers, and I delegated each member a managing position they would find success with. Team 6287 Vertigo won the Illinois State Championship through team building, leadership, and problem-solving and advanced from the Super Regional Qualifier to the FIRST World Championship in 2018. In 2019, Team 6287 Vertigo received the highest honor - Inspire Award at the 2019 Illinois State Championship advancing us to the FIRST World Championship, where we won the Motivate Award.     

By aggressively connecting with local elementary and middle schools and organizing community outreach events, my team and I help increase the awareness of FIRST.  We’ve provided technical support at workshops and taught students how to program and build robots.  We co-hosted the kickoff event for 300 students for four years at HPHS, and we designed a teaching robot for demonstrations using laser technology. I encourage my team to be visible in the community, and I am constantly recruiting and attracting students to learn about and participate in Robotics. 

My expertise is Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Project Lead The Way (PLTW) engineering process, building, management using Scrum and Agile principles, and LEAN manufacturing concepts. Based on my proficiency, Team 6287 is structured systematically using PLTW. Instead, then brainstorm and building, Team 6287 goes through PLTW's six design stages to make our robot. We are one of the few teams that go through the design process using CAD as a part of our building process. I also apply my knowledge of Scrum and Agile to structure Team 6287 with the goal of complete collaboration. Our hardware and software teams work in tandem, which makes us more efficient, and using my knowledge of LEAN manufacturing, our time has been utilized productively.   

I can think outside of the box when problems arise using creative solutions.  My math, music, and STEM strengths allow me to bring innovative ideas to the team. As the team captain, I have made it my job to maintain good working relationships with everyone I meet through FIRST and stay connected. These connections give my team and other teams in our club access to mentors and machinery that help us build the robots.      

Team 6287 Vertigo has contributed to Outreach at all levels, and I am always in attendance for FIRST events and HPHS club outings. With four mini-bots, we designed and constructed a mock FTC game utilized at outreach events.  Students are encouraged to drive the mini-bots to discover some of the remarkable aspects of Robotics. In May 2016, I helped an Israeli girl’s team successfully participate in the 2016 FIRST World Championship games in St. Louis. I became an honorary team member driving and coaching their robot when they were unable. 

My contributions to FTC Team Vertigo 6287 and FIRST are abundant. I am the team captain, a job I do not take lightly. I make it a point to work with everyone on my team, from the CAD designers, the software programmers, the builders, outreach, engineering notebook, and public relations. As the team captain, I aim to give everyone a learning experience and a leading role.

2018-2019 ROVER RUCKUS

2017-2018 RELIC RECOVERY

2016-2017 VELOCITY VORTEX

2015-2016 FIRST RES-Q