I became a 2015 Dean’s List Finalist at the Michigan State Championship. It has validated me as a leader and pioneer.

I was the Scouting Captain for my FIRST Robotics Competition team for four years, so I spent my time not only analyzing data, but also programming the systems that organized the data and managing the team that collected it. For four years, I thought I was simply doing this for fun. There were even days I wondered if robotics was worth it, since I knew I didn’t want to be an engineer, but I can assure anyone who is thinking about joining that FIRST is truly More Than Robots℠.

I’m now a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania studying neuroscience. My experience with FIRST has opened the door for me to take part in biomedical research at an Ivy League university – in my freshman year, no less! It is easily the most valuable experience I had as a high school student. The skills exemplified by Dean’s List Finalists are valuable in any field, and that has been recognized by every employer and Mentor I have come in contact with. I can’t imagine a better way to have spent my high school years than in the inspirational FIRST community.