Isaac Vernon, a sophomore at Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester Vermont and a member of the Manchester Machine Makers 4-H Club and FIRST Tech Challenge Team #16221, was recognized at the Vermont State Championships held on Saturday March 19 at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg Vermont as one of two FIRST Tech Challenge Dean’s List Finalists representing Vermont.

States the FIRST website: In an effort to recognize the leadership and dedication of FIRST’s most outstanding secondary school students, the Kamen family sponsors an award for selected 10^th and 11^th grade students known as the FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge Dean’s List.

FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”. Similar to National Merit Scholarship Award Winners, there are three categories of FIRST Dean’s List Award students: FIRST Dean’s List Semi-finalists, Finalists, and Winners. The Semi-finalists are compromised of the two students in their 10th or 11th grade school year nominated by each team. FIRST Dean’s List Finalists are comprised of the the students selected at each state/regional championship (Vermont has two Finalists).

FIRST Dean’s List Winners are comprised of the 10 FIRST Robotics Competition and 10 FIRST Tech Challenge students selected from the applicable FIRST Dean’s List Finalists at the FIRST Championship being held April 20-23, in Houston Texas.

All of those Team members who are Semi-finalists, Finalists, and Winners are examples of student leaders who have not only achieved personal technical accomplishment, but also have led their Teams and communities to increased awareness of STEM and of the FIRST organization. It is important to recognize the contributions they have made and will make as they pursue further education, going on to become great leaders, student alumni, and advocates of FIRST.

This is the second year that the Team has been home to a Dean’s List Finalist for Vermont. We are proud of our Team members and grateful for their inspiration and dedication!

Isaac is a founding member of the Manchester Machine Makers and this is his third year on the team.