It’s always a joy to connect with FIRST in Texas alumni and hear firsthand about the lasting impact of our programs. Today, we’re excited to share the story of Abigail, an Actuarial Science major at the University of Texas – San Antonio. Abigail’s journey with FIRST began in 2018 as a 7th grader adjusting to a new school. Eager to get involved, she joined a FIRST LEGO League team and fell in love with the program during the Into Orbit season.
On her FIRST LEGO League team, Abigail focused on project management. When she transitioned to her FIRST Tech Challenge team, she was a big part of the design process and building. She was even a driver for a few years! This is a testament to show the variety of roles FIRST offers – it’s not just all programming and coding. Whether you’re interested in leadership, design, or public speaking, there’s a place for everyone in FIRST!
Team #16012, BlazingBots
Abigail’s most cherished memories include visiting schools in her district to inspire younger students. Her team primarily worked out of their junior high, but they made it a point to visit elementary schools to share their passion for robotics. They even started a robotics program at their local Boys and Girls Club—a deeply rewarding experience. “That’s probably the most rewarding and memorable experience. Just giving back to the little community that we have,” Abigail reflects.
While Abigail didn’t specialize in programming, she gained foundational knowledge and honed skills like research and leadership that continue to serve her well in college. She credits her mentor, Mrs. Fry, for helping her grow into a confident leader. “I used to be very soft spoken, very quiet and to myself and my mentor threw me in there… I got the chance to recognize her, on a district level. I was in the top 10% of my school and I got to recognize her as just being a phenomenal person. And it was just she did everything. She was the knight in shining armor for that program.” Communication was another key skill Abigail developed. From collaborating with alliance partners to engaging with other teams, she learned the importance of listening and understanding skills that have lasting value beyond robotics.
Initially, Abigail planned to pursue engineering, but after her final year in robotics, she decided to explore other opportunities and eventually found her passion in Actuarial Science. “FIRST just had a major impact on my life in general. It’s a great program,” she says. We know that not everyone who participates in FIRST will pursue a career in engineering. However, we hope that everyone who participates in this program discovers themselves and their passions. When asking Abigail what advice, she’d give to someone considering joining a FIRST robotics team she talks about just going for it! She assures that even if you don’t think you’ll fit in or that you’d make an impact, you never know until you try, and you’ll make more of an impact than you’d think was possible. Her advice to those who are currently in the program is, “communicate with other teams outside of just the alliances. Go out and meet the people.”
Reflecting on her six years in the program, she hopes to volunteer in the future. “It would mean a lot to me to give back to the community that gave so much,” she shares. She also reflects on the philosophy of Gracious Professionalism and shares that when you put your best forward and show kindness and respect and inclusivity it really goes along way. “It’s just been such a great philosophy to live,” she states. Abigail extends her gratitude to Lon Cherryholmes and Patrick Michaud for their invaluable support and leaves us with a heartfelt message: “I just love FIRST robotics and everything that they do.”