Volunteer Spotlight - Ruth Ann Francis

Meet Ruth Ann Francis — a dedicated volunteer, mentor, judge, and advocate for students within the FIRST® in Texas community for more than a decade. Since 2012, she has invested her time, expertise, and passion into supporting FIRST LEGO® League Challenge teams and helping students grow through hands on STEM learning.

Ruth Ann first stepped into FIRST during the Senior Solutions season, when a friend asked if she could support a newly formed community team. She did not know much about FIRST LEGO League at the time, but she loved engineering, working with students, and, of course, LEGO! She jumped in to help however she could, learning alongside a team that was just beginning their journey.

That team went on to win the Innovation Project Award at their qualifier and advance to the Regional Championship. One season was all it took for Ruth Ann to be hooked. She coached that original team through the RePlay season, continued mentoring and forming new teams, and eventually shifted into full time judging and volunteering in North Texas. Most recently, she has expanded her roles to judge advisor and referee.

She has also judged at a FIRST Tech Challenge event and currently mentors FTC Team 19504, The Moment Makers, based out of Pearland, Texas.

One of Ruth Ann’s proudest memories happened during the City Shaper season. In the middle of a match, her team had to interrupt their robot, costing them a precision token. When the referee did not see it, one of the students stepped forward and pointed it out. They chose honesty over points.

“I have never been so proud of my team losing points during the robot game,” Ruth Ann shared.

For her, that moment captured the heart of FIRST programs: Gracious Professionalism®, character, and integrity.

She also treasures the friendships she has built with fellow key volunteers. Many have become close friends who stay connected outside of competitions.

As an aerospace engineer, Ruth Ann knows firsthand how powerful it is when students see themselves in STEM. Some former students she coached are now working engineers, and several have told her how much FIRST helped shape their confidence, direction, and career decisions!

She has even met program alumni “in the wild,” whether on vacation or at work, who share their own stories of FIRST involvement. Ruth Ann was recently on vacation in upper Michigan and got to chatting with the person sitting next to her on a boat cruise and her involvement with FIRST came up. A young man in the row ahead of them overheard the conversation and chimmed in about his own experience with FIRST Robotics Competition! She also says in her professional world, she has noticed around 50% of new interns and hires have FIRST experience in their background.

“Those with FIRST experience do tend to be higher performing engineers,” she said. “I know correlation does not imply causation, but I am also certain that involvement with FIRST programs did nothing but help these students.”

Volunteering with FIRST has given Ruth Ann hope, perspective, and joy.

In a world with many challenges, she finds inspiration in watching students collaborate, solve problems, persevere, and care for one another. Their optimism is contagious.

Through coaching, she has learned the importance of creating inclusive environments, supporting others through failure, and encouraging curiosity. Those lessons have stayed with her as she mentors interns and new engineers in her workplace.

“I find volunteering with FIRST programs a whole lot of fun,” she said. “It is a lot of hard work, but it is also so very worth it.”

FIRST in Texas is grateful for Ruth Ann’s dedication, leadership, and the countless hours she has invested in the students and volunteers around her. Her story is a reminder of the transformational role volunteers play in shaping lives, sparking passion, and empowering young people across our state.

Ruth Ann, thank you for helping build a community where students dream boldly, learn deeply, and find their place in STEM.