Bayou Regional Volunteer of the Year 2010:Annette Oertling
When one thinks of a Volunteer of the Year, one usually thinks of someone who is cheerful, cooperative, competent and reliable.But, this year’s Bayou Regional Volunteer of the Year can not be described that way.This year’s award winner is not simply cheerful, but super cheerful…even in the midst of a crisis this award winner can be seen smiling as the crisis is handled with a soft hand and a gentle voice.This year’s award winner is not simply cooperative, but incredibly cooperative.When a task needs doing, this award winner sometimes doesn’t even wait to be asked to do it….it just gets done.This year’s award winner is not simply competent, but scary competent…If there’s something this award winner can’t tackle, we haven’t found it yet.In each and every circumstance, this winner exceeds each and every expectation.This year’s award winner is not simply reliable, but serves as a role model for reliability….famously steadfast in commitment…one year, this award winner was ill during the days of the Bayou Regional. Refusing to go home, this award winner just kept on going…like the Eveready bunny rabbit…she keeps going, and going and going…and not just for the Bayou Regional….but for FIRST LEGO League, for BLaST…for the Greater New Orleans Science Fair, for Tulane University, for Core Element…and yes…I could go on….have you guessed yet?I’ll bet you have….this year’s super cheerful, incredibly cooperative, scary competent, always reliable, fabulous Bayou Regional Volunteer of the Year is none other than our Lead Volunteer Coordinator:Annette Oertling.
2009
Bayou Regional Volunteer of the Year 2009:Curtis Craig
Curtis Craig is simply the ultimate.His involvement with FIRST has included it all.He supports FLL and FRC.He is largely responsible for the electrical set up of the entire FLL tournament site.He works with multiple FRC teams as a mentor and welder.He tirelessly pursues sponsors and new teams.Curtis supports, participates in and leads multiple workshops including the Fast-Build workshop.The Fast-Build workshop is Mr. Craig’s baby…he introduced, developed and coordinates this unique workshop.A team that attends the Fast-Build workshop comes with hundreds of parts and leaves at the end of the day with a working robot.Curtis is largely responsible for the growth of FRC in Louisiana from 5 teams in 2005 to 17 last year.He brings out the best in others by exhibiting an incredibly positive attitude and flashing a particularly wonderful smile.His contributions as a member of the BLaST, Inc. Board of Directors are invaluable.He is quick to say yes to almost every task.He has served as the Field Boss of the Bayou Regional since its inception.Mr. Curtis Craig is a walking example of gracious professionalism; and, we are proud to name him the 2009 Bayou Regional Volunteer of the Year.
2008
Our volunteer of 2008 is Mr. Scot Marshall.
He is instrumental in growing Louisiana FRC and FLL in Louisiana and critical to the success of the Bayou Regional.
He develops training materials, trains, supports, recruits, coaches and mentors both FRC and FLL teams.He designs T-shirts for the Bayou Regional, designs logos, even our websites.He made it possible for every Louisiana team to have access to a website of their own and was available to help them to design each.He makes numerous public relations presentations about FIRST.He is a true example of gracious professionalism.
There is never a task too small or too large…Scot is always on call.He helps everyone with everything.
It’s a safe bet that this was a good choice…we inspected everyone and decided that our Mr. Everything from Louisiana, our Bayou Regional Lead Robot Inspector, passed inspection with flying colors and deserved to be certified by the Bayou Regional Committee as our Volunteer of the Year.
2007
Our volunteer of 2007 is Mr. Joe Daschbach.
Joseph Daschbach is the ultimate volunteer.His involvement with FIRST has included vision creation, organization, implementation and execution of curriculum.
In cooperation with the Orleans Parish Public School System, he fleshed out a robotics curriculum that included a community wide organization day to introduce robotics to interested students.This was followed by several in-depth workshops geared to introduce electrical and mechanical engineering, website design and computer programming.
Once the introductory workshops concluded, teams from predominantly inner-city schools were formed. The program grew from one team the first year to 5 teams in year two.Plans were then made for strengthening the in-school robotic curriculum for participating schools including laboratory time at the nearby NASA Michoud Assembly Plant.
Through Joe’s involvement, we were able to grow enough teams to successfully launch the Bayou Regional.
He’s a “go to” volunteer who never let us down and inspires all he works with…we affectionately call him our Bayou Pied Piper.
