Breaking Boundaries while Giving Back

In 2007, Joseph Ronan, then a high school student from the American School for the Deaf, made the decision to join a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team and take part in his first competition season. He wanted to challenge himself to do something different while having fun. Being deaf was no barrier for Joseph while on the team, nor when he made the transition from FTC participant to FIRST volunteer for Connecticut FIRST Tech Challenge.

Although nervous when he first started out, Ronan explained how exciting it was to come to an FTC competition as a volunteer. His former teacher encouraged him to join the volunteer community and starting in 2011, he joined as a Referee. His dedication to the program flourished, and soon he moved from the role of Referee to Head Referee in 2015.

Ronan did not expect “to become the first Deaf Head Referee in the FTC program.” He was shocked and excited to be called out at “the FTC event on February 7, 2015 at opening ceremony.” It is not just breaking boundaries and showing that being deaf is not a hindrance that kept Ronan coming back. It is also the respect and teamwork teams exhibit. He has fun with volunteers and teams, some of most "awesome people ever to work with!" He wants to share his experience and have more deaf schools join the program.

Joseph wants people to know that FTC “welcomes you as part of a family that you didn't know” you had. They show you “what you can do in that moment, and will help you to create a great experience for your future.”

Notes FIRST Senior Mentor Kathie Kentfield,  “One might think that being deaf might make being a referee more difficult, but I think it allows him to focus on the action on the field without distraction.  I count Joey as one of my "favorite" FIRST alumni and look forward to working with him at events every year!”

Read more about the American School for the Deaf's FTC team.