Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference (NMRC) president Jesse Frost announced the 2022 annual awards recipients. The Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference believes in recognizing the extraordinary efforts of members. Their excellence comes in many forms, from competition to academics, and from teams to individuals. Whether it be a student or a volunteer NMRC feels it is their responsibility to shine a light on those who set the standard people strive to achieve. 

This is what led us to establish the NMRC annual awards and it is with great pride that the organization takes a moment to recognize the following individuals in three major categories.

The NMRC Volunteer of the Year Award Program recognizes a Volunteer of the Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference. 

They bring light, life, and selfless service to both students and organization. Their incredible charitable commitment to NMRC and first team members helps ensure a bright future for our community. Anyone can nominate an NMRC volunteer for this award, however special consideration is given to nominations submitted by students.

Not enough can be said of the volume of hours this volunteer has put forth into the NMRC, individual teams across the state and FRC in Minnesota as a whole. With an incredible depth of knowledge in making things work, and the new found love expressed by this individual for being able to help out all across the state, NMRC conference alone is blessed to have him here and a part of this wonderful program. From programming a robot, to making Cheezy Arena work for local needs, automated scoring and just being a fabulous individual. This Volunteer received multiple nominations and it truly shows the appreciation we have of him.

Congratulations 2022 NMRC “Volunteer of the Year” Corey Applegate St. Cloud.

The NMRC Coach/Mentor of the Year Award Program recognizes the Head Coach, Assistant Coach, or Mentor of a participating team within the Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference. This honor goes to an individual whose actions, dedication, and selflessness to NMRC & FIRST team members directly resulted in student success. Anyone can nominate an NMRC coach/mentor for this award. Special consideration is given to nominations submitted by students.

This year’s Coach/Mentor of the year goes to a team mentor who has been an active and dedicated person since the beginning of their team. This individual brings knowledge, enthusiasm and encouragement to all students. This individual has been integral in recruitment of new members, communicating with the community and establishing opportunities including POW Wows and Parades at Red Lake and Ponemah.

The students who submitted this nomination really value and appreciate the work put forth by this individual Congratulations 2022 NMRC “Coach/Mentor of the Year” Tami Liberty, Team 7235 – Ogichidaag from Red Lake H.S.

The NMRC Team Member of the Year Award Program recognizes the student of a participating team within the Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference. This honor goes to an individual whose actions, dedication, and selflessness to their team and their teammates directly resulted in their team’s success. They display “Gracious Professionalism,” a willingness to problem solve, and lead, on a regular basis. Advancing their knowledge and skills and those of the team is one of their highest priorities. Special consideration is given to students who also work to promote and advance the goals of the NMRC. Only NMRC team Coaches and Mentors can nominate one of their students for this award.

Dedication, determination, and drive. Three D’s that describe this student’s character. This individual is dedicated to FRC and seeing their team’s hard work pay off. This nominee’s application glowed with respect and true appreciation for the student. “Working over 30 hours a week on Robotics,” “learning how to use all of the Metal shop Machinery including CNC,” “stepping up to teach the new girls the information they need to know, and teaching both the Native and non-native students equally and passionately” this student has amazed their mentor. The mentor ended with this remark “She makes coaches like me love what I do.”

Congratulations 2022 NMRC “Team Member of the Year” Caraira Jensen, Team 3134 – The Accelerators from Cass Lake-Bena H.S.