Melissa Ling – McMaster University, Integrated Science
Years on 3161 as student: 2
About: Melissa was the leader of the Awards Team, was a Chairman’s Presenter, and also worked with the Build, Business, and Communications sections of the team. Melissa was one of the team’s 2011 Dean’s List nominees.
FIRST’s Impact: “I originally joined 3161 a little sceptical of the whole idea of robotics. But after a couple of meetings, I was hooked! Aside from learning and doing things in engineering I never thought I would do, I’ve gained life-skills, and have been introduced to so many amazing people I probably wouldn’t have know otherwise. I’ve given so many hours to our team that FIRST isn’t just an experience for me anymore, it’s a lifestyle, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. I can’t wait to see what else 3161 is capable of in the years to come!”
Paul Fossenier – McMaster University, Engineering
Years on 3161 as student: 2
About: As a student Paul has worked on the build and design teams, and has acted as a Driver and Drive coach. His speciality was with electrical and pneumatics, acting as the Electrical team captain in 2011. He has mentored FLL teams and has participated in and lead numerous community events and projects during his time as a student member. Paul was a 2011 Dean’s List Award recipient at the 2011 Waterloo Regional. Paul continues to work with the team as a Mentor.
FIRST's Impact: "Working with this great group of fellow students, and mentors has been some of the most enjoyable, and defining experiences of my life. Because of FIRST, I am leaving high school with valuable knowledge, skills, and experience, that will help me in future academic and engineering endeavours. Nothing else in High School rivals what FIRST does for the students, its in an entire league of its own. I look forward to starting my career as a FIRST mentor, and continuing to work with this great group of people to see just what we can accomplish. Limits only exist in the mind."
Nicolas Puello - Sheridan College, Information System Security
Years on 3161 as student: 1
About: Nicolas worked mainly on the build team, though, if there was a team clown position he would have it.
FIRST's Impact: "I joined 3161 in the summer of 2010 after attending some meetings with a friend. throughout the rest of that summer and the year to come I quickly caught on to what first was about and made new friends quickly. FIRST opened up a new world of options in engineering and technological career options. It felt amazing to be a part of a large group of similar minded people who all share that crazy passion for science and technology."
Alexander Ratelle - McMaster University, Engineering
Years on 3161 as student: 2
About: In 2010 Alexander worked to design and build several mechanical components and provided graphics and video for the team. He competed in the Drive Team Coach role during the Waterloo Regional and World Championship in Atlanta. In 2011, Alexander shared the role of co-captain and worked with build and design members, but also took on the challenge of presenting the team to the judges as one of three Chairman's Award Presenters. He competed as the Human Player at both the Waterloo Regional and at Greater Toronto West.
FIRST's Impact: "FIRST gave me hands on experience in engineering, and led me to study efficient design more closely. It has developed my leadership skills and provided excellent opportunities to go beyond what is learned in school."
Stephen Karas - University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Nuclear Engineering
Years on 3161 as student: 1
About: Stephen was primarily on the build team. He was involved on the construction of the robot as well as preliminary testing, and mock ups of the robot and playing field structures.
FIRST's Impact: "FIRST was a first for me. It was an experience like no other as I was able to meet new people as well as meet a new part of myself. I have enjoyed the chance to work together with my peers creating something we put our very best in. FIRST has given me a chance to prepare for the future as we are dependent on our ability to work together with our colleagues."
Matt Clarke - McMaster University, Engineering
Years on 3161 as student: 2
About: Matthew has been a member of FIRST Team 3161 for two years, and in that time participated in some small part to every portion of the team imaginable. Matthew was a part of the Build and Media Teams, helping build the robot and shoot video at events.
FIRST's Impact: "I joined the team in its first year a week into build season after being recruited by some friends already on the team. When I went in to my first meeting, I was welcomed with open arms into a community of like-minded individuals. The field of science and technology has been revealed to me through FIRST Team 3161, and I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without it. Being a part of a robotics team has exposed me to things I never would have encountered otherwise, like machining parts and understanding how to wire a robot. Thanks to FIRST, I have met so many new and amazing people, and will be thrilled to help out in the years to come. Buckle up everyone, the Tronic Titans are coming!"
Taylor Williams - Loyalist College, Art and Design Foundations
Years on 3161 as student: 2 "Ive been on 3161 since the start and plan on staying until the end."
About: Taylor was the Media Representative of the team. He took videos and pictures of the team during build season, competition time, and off season events. He maintains the Tronic Titans YouTube page, keeping it up to date with videos of events we run and participate in such as competitions or fundraisers. Next Taylor will be be going into Art and design foundations at Loyalist College, where he will be learning about differing mediums an artist can take and how to use the media to their advantage.
FIRST's Impact: "To me, FIRST isn't just a competition or an organization, it's something of a network, but of its own genre, it brings people together in small groups that are the teams in each tier being FRC and FLL, and each of those families culminates into a big family of FIRST, it's always going to be hard to find two teams that don't get along because the principals of FIRST are so closely followed and help mold us into the people that tomorrow needs. FIRST is a lifestyle which not only improves quality of life, but also improves on a persons appreciation for life."
Melissa Lynett - University of Waterloo, Systems Design Engineering
Years on 3161 as student: 1
About: Melissa was mainly a member of the build team and also helped out with the awards team. She was Safety Captain during the 2011 season. Melissa continues to work with the team as a Mentor.
FIRST’s Impact: "Being a part of 3161 gave me knowledge that I will use for the rest of my life. I joined the team knowing very little about robots or manufacturing and throughout the season I learned so much. FIRST gave me the opportunity to get real life engineering experience which convinced me that pursuing engineering in university is the right path for me. Outside of the technical aspects, I learned a lot about how to work in a team and I got to meet amazing, like-minded people. FIRST was by far my best high school experience"
Craig Hoo - McMaster University, Engineering
Years on 3161 as student: 1
About: Craig lead assembly of the electronics and control systems for the team in 2010, as well as assisting with pneumatics and build team. In 2011, Craig returned as a post-secondary student mentor.
FIRST's Impact: "When I joined the team I was like many others and thought that the FIRST robotics competition was all about the robot. How very wrong I was. In my time with 3161, I've developed critical marketable and interpersonal skills that I've put to work in my first year of university. We were introduced to CAD and the engineering design process in a hands-on way and it has helped me get ahead in my post-secondary studies. Through the FIRST robotics program, I've learned to act with gracious professionalism not only while on the team or on the field, but in all aspects of life. Participating in the FIRST robotics competition is an invaluable experience I wouldn't trade for anything."
Kristin Sprukulis - University of Toronto, Social Sciences
Years on 3161 as student: 1
About: Kristin was on the team the very first year 3161 was established in the 2009-2010 season. During that year she created the logo for the Tronic Titans and was apart of the marketing/fundraising teams.
FIRST's Impact: "To me, FIRST means getting a chance to do something new and exciting. It means being able to share your excitement about science and technology with the community, but most of all FIRST means that you have a group of outstanding individuals working together, teaching each other and creating friendships that will last a lifetime."
Andrew Azores - McMaster University, Computer Science
Years on 3161 as student: 1
About: In 2010, Andrew was one of the team's co-captains and the lead programmer, and was also involved with the mechanical and electrical aspects of the design team. In 2011, Andrew returned to the team as a mentor for the team's software development and also for the mechanical and electrical build elements. Andrew also took a major role in the team's media production in the 2011 season.
FIRST's Impact: "FIRST gave me a taste of what it's like to develop software in the real world, as opposed to in a classroom. I already enjoyed programming but I never expected to have as much fun with it as I did while a member of an FRC team. Of course, I also enjoyed all the other aspects of the team, robot-related or not. To me, FIRST Robotics isn't just about building a robot, and it isn't even just about spreading co-opertition and gracious professionalism, or just about inspiring others to pursue science and technology - it's all of that at the same time, and it's also about bringing together people with all kinds of diverse interests and experiences in science, technology, media, and more, but most of all, it's the hardest fun you'll ever have. I loved my first season as an FRC member, and since I've graduated and can't be a member anymore, I have, and plan to come back as a mentor for many years to come. The fun doesn't stop when you graduate!"
Robert Huczek - University of Waterloo, Software Engineering
Years on 3161 as student: 1
About: Robert was one of two captains on the team's rookie year. Worked primarily with the build team.
FIRST's Impact: "Originally I joined the team because I thought it would be a fun thing to do, as well as something nice I could include in my university applications. Instead it turned out to be one of the greatest learning experiences I've ever had, as well as an opportunity to make new friends and reinforce some of the friendships I already had. I gained many skills and friends that I couldn't have had I not joined the team. The countless hours spent in the shop building the robot and laughing with friends made this so much more than just an extracurricular activity."