INSPIRATION IS EVERWHERE

Featured Image

Display Title

FIRST prepares students for college success

Sub Title

Diana Marsala

2015 Dean’s List Finalist, FIRST Alum

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.


Read More Stories

The FIRST experience empowers participants and their communities

Hakan Habip

FIRST Volunteer, Turkey

 
viewFIRST LEGO League Volunteer

FIRST helped me discover my love of engineering

Anthony Hennig

FIRST Alum, Volunteer, & Mentor

 
viewFIRST Alum
NEW

FIRST taught me how to work smart, like a startup

Peyton Fitzgerald

FIRST Alum, FIRST Robotics Competition Team 5459 “Ipswich Tigers” and Recipient, Northeastern University’s NU-FIRST Scholarship

 
viewFIRST Alum
NEW

Grant partnership helps break down barriers to STEM access in First Nations communities

Alberta Distance Learning Center

FIRST STEM Community

 
viewFIRST STEM Community
NEW