Volunteer Spotlight: Luke Boswell

Since 2022, Luke Boswell has been an invaluable part of the FIRST® in Texas community. What started as helping track volunteers during an FTC event quickly grew into a multi-role volunteer journey that now spans FTC and FRC events across the state. 

Luke began volunteering at the end of the FTC Freight Frenzy season and has steadily taken on a wide range of responsibilities. He currently serves as the Regional Head Referee for the FTC West and Panhandle region, where he also supports events as a robot inspector, field inspector, and member of the FiT FTC Advisory Council. This year he expanded into FRC as well, volunteering at his first event as a referee. He has also supported judging panels and served as a Dean’s List interviewer. 

Luke’s FIRST in Texas story began when he attended an FTC event to track volunteers recruited from a student organization he was part of at the time. The energy of the event and the excitement of the teams made an immediate impact on him. He returned the next season for Powerplay, and from there his involvement continued to grow. 

Of the many experiences Luke has had, one stands out as the moment he knew he wanted to commit to volunteering at a regional level. During the Powerplay season, he was asked to help at a league meet in Midland. While carpooling with another volunteer, an unexpected wrong turn left their vehicle stuck on a dirt road at seven in the morning. After being towed out, they eventually made it to the event, where Luke had the chance to meet and support teams from Midland and Odessa. That day solidified for him that if he could still enjoy volunteering after being stuck in the sand before sunrise, this was a community he wanted to be a bigger part of. Shortly after, when the Regional Head Referee role opened, he stepped into the position. Since then, he has traveled across West Texas supporting leagues and, luckily, avoiding any more dirt roads. 

For Luke, the most rewarding part of volunteering is seeing the wide range of creative solutions teams develop each season. He enjoys watching teams take the same challenge and build completely different, innovative approaches that showcase pure creativity and problem-solving. 

Beyond the technical side, Luke credits the FIRST volunteer community as the most meaningful part of his experience. He describes it as the most welcoming group he has ever been part of. Being surrounded by people from all backgrounds who come together to create opportunities for students is what he values most. While he has gained skills from volunteering, it is the sense of belonging and shared mission that has had the greatest impact on him.