Volunteering: Best Seat in the House

 Eduardo Rodriguez, a professional engineer in Lubbock,Texas, has been a part of the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for years. As Professor Alan Barhorst notes, Eduardo “was an early adopter of the FTC outreach. He willingly volunteered to help in the Head Referee position even though it was a position requiring certification.” 

That willingness to take on a challenge sets him apart as a volunteer. However, Eduardo admits that at the beginning, “the thought of not knowing what to expect made me very nervous. My nerves were quickly gone following the first match.” Yet, that nervousness does not translate on the field. For those watching him in the midst of a match, “Eduardo is a perfect Head Referee. He is calm and makes the critical calls in fair fashion. He has a dignity that exudes fairness among the teams. The other referees enjoy his leadership and the games are usually hitch-free.”

As a referee, especially the Head Referee, Eduardo is constantly moving and focused during a match. However, the position is not without its perks. “As a referee, we have the best seats in the house, we can touch / interact with the robots and the field, and we are in the middle of all of the action.” 

When you volunteer for FTC, you are bound to have a blast with the people who help put on these extraordinary events, the impressive students participating them, and the mentors/coaches and family who support their efforts. As any volunteer will agree, Eduardo sums up his experience with, “I am happy and proud to help volunteer and it is great to see the FIRST Organization put this program together in promoting Science and Technology."