Gran Chile! You did it!!! Chile’s National Youth Robotics team (Corazón De Chileno Frc) was trying to raise money to travel to the U.S.A. International Qualifiers for FRC (U.S. First Robotics Competition). On February 28, 2012, AndesBeat (among others) published and distributed an urgent call for help. At that point they had been trying for months to reach out to the local media, public and private sector officials but had only raised $185 USD!
Within 10 days, many thanks to individual donors, friends, families, strangers (near and far), the international private sector and huge spirited Chilean philanthropists, they were able to raise the money they needed and on March 12, 2012, ALL 28 members of their national team (for the first time in 5 years) was able to travel to the U.S.A. to participate in the FRC International Robotics League qualifiers.
Carlos and I saw them the day they were traveling and warned them not to come back to Chile without any awards in hand, jejeje. So they heeded our advice and in their first days there, they reported back that Executive Director and team mentor, José Ignacio (Nacho) Ferndandez, received the Woodie Flowers Award! It is the highest honor in FIRST Robotics!!! Congratulations Nacho and Team Corazon de Chileno (Chilean Heart)!
The Woodie Flowers Award celebrates effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design. Dr. William Murphy founded this prestigious award in 1996 to recognize mentors who lead, inspire and empower using effective communication skills.
Fellow veteran team mentor, Bastián Palacio Esquivel had this to say….
It has been a great day. Today José Ignacio (Nacho) Ferndandez, our mentor, received the Woodie Flowers Award!
I am infinitely proud of belonging to Chilean Frc heart, and have learned so much Nacho. Today simply it is indescribable with words… When both work hard to get something, to recognize your work as well, shows that everything was worth it…
WHEN YOUR HEART IS FIRST, AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN!
