Coaches Corner
Our team is full of mentors. Some, like Mrs. Calef, are known throughout the entire organization. Every student knows them by name and has at least one interaction with them. Others, however, are less well known and yet contribute just as much to Team 88’s success during the season as any other mentor or teacher. Most students would not know Harry Jahnke unless they themselves attended the build sessions after the game is announced. The students that do attend these meetings know this man to be one of the most knowledgeable and helpful mentors that we are lucky to have. Since he is the master of the milling machine, he assists and teaches students how to use the machine while fabricating parts for the robot prototypes and later the actual robot we use in the season. In the general assembly and design ofthe robot, his ideas and workmanship are a huge factor that enable to compete as well as we do.
Last year, during the off-season, Harry showed his kindness and generosity to the team in an extreme way. Using the equipment in his own shop and precious time, he fabricated more than 4,000 key-chains. Thes e were designed in the shape of our team name and also available in a variety of colors. We used these for trading with other teams during the competitions and also as gifts to family and friends. Harry might not be well known throughout the entire team, but his help is evident within the robot’s design and construction. Every student received four of his key-chains last year to trade, and yet many knew not who they came from. Harry deserves the utmost respect and gratitude for all the time and energy he has put into this team.