What People are Saying / PR

I commend the team for their outstanding performance and job all week and all season. Everyone worked so hard to get here, and it paid off. Parents, you have no idea of the amount of work and strategy that the team did this week, to get the job done. It was insane. We got up at 6:45am every morning, and stopped working around 11:00pm most nights (we set up an entire field in one of the rooms!). And not to mention the rest of the season that built to here. This experience bonds us all in ways that are too difficult to put into words, other than to say that this intersection of all of our lives of this long and arduous, but extremely productive and successful journey, is undoubtedly imprinted upon us all permanently, that we may reflect on this in the future with fond memories and draw upon the countless life lessons learned by all. It has been a pleasure working with everyone, and so many people, coaches, and staff commented on our professionalism and skill, at all tournaments, but crescendo-ing at this tournament. I tried to capture some of this below.

Special shout-out to the drive team who demonstrated consistent poise and proficiency, all while under extreme stress, all week during matches (there were something like 13 matches), during all the practicing, during "auditions" with the #1 and #2 teams in the world before making final alliance selections, during the queuing-area debugging before critical matches, and performing in front of tens of thousands on center stage. Wow.

It was a pleasure working with all of the team, and getting to know the newer team members and their parents.

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From Various People

"Congratulations to you and the entire NYAN Robotics team for getting first place in the FTC championship in Detroit.
This enormous accomplishment has never been achieved by a team in Illinois, until now. You and your team's hard
work has once again paid off as you were able to beat hundreds of other teams participating in the competition.
I continue to believe the work you are all doing with robotics is crucial to the development of our country's future.
Your achievements are proof that you possess immense knowledge and skills in the fields of technology, engineering,
and communication. I wish you great success in whatever endeavors you undertake next.
You clearly have a bright future ahead of you." -- US Congressman Brad Schneider


"CONGRATULATIONS to you and your team. I can only imagine the great pride you take in
working with such an outstanding group of students and helping them achieve
the pinnacle of their sport." -- Brian Stith (Carmel Executive Director of Marketing and Admissions)


"Congratulations, that's amazing! What a great accomplishment and experience for the team....and coaches." -- Abel Juarez (engineer)


"You beat the rigged system. Nice! " -- Mark Koziol (engineer)


"Thanks Brian... or should I say World Champion Coach! You guys are awesome and your program is amazing.
It was a fun week. Wish we had the opportunity to play together this year... hopefully next year we will." -- Gordon Walton (BrainSTEM coach)


"Congrats!!! So awesome that with your youngest you were able to end on highest of notes !! Great group.
What you and your wife have done for all those kids and the program at Carmel
It's incredible!!" -- Pat Fix (parent of NYAN alum)


"Congratulations! Hard work pays off I guess. " -- Dan Mahn (engineer)


"So happy for the entire team and so happy to see the fruits of your hard labor pay off with the ultimate prize!"
-- The Harrigan Family (alum and family)


"Congrats! We had a blast. We had a good time hanging together.
The kids were drained on Saturday but had to go to the final to cheer for you guys. Also, thanks for
all the help and support along the way. The kids keep talking about all the things they want
to build for next year (which I just realize is only 4 months away! OMG" -- Chris (Electro coach)


"I am unbelievably proud of them. That is absolutely outstanding." -- Kevin (alum and founder)
Same goes for me, can't believe it." -- Danny (alum and founder)
Please Let those boys and girls know that they made Danny and I incredibly proud." -- Kevin (alum and founder)
Damn you guys would smoke Houston."-- Kevin (alum and founder)


"I had a crazy dream last night. The kids were on Ford Field..." -- Kathy Brinkman (parent)


"Congrats to you and the team Brian on this awesome achievement!
Thank you for all that you do for the team and Carmel! It's really great!" -- Ric Elert (parent)


"My heartiest congratulations on Nyan's victory!" -- Allen Mons Sr. (parent)


"We are beyond proud of what NYAN has accomplished. World champions - wow!
Thank you everyone for a wonderful experience.
We are blessed to have such great parents and kids on our team. " -- Kelly Novak (parent)


"Congrats to the teams, getting to the Ford Field and finishing up as champs!! Long journey for the team and
coaches through the years. The perfect storybook ending for a model team. Glad the stars lined up. I can see it
was a nail biting evening call with three games after a bumpy second match. Thanks again for picking our team
at state so we could come to world. Our team enjoyed one last push to evolve our robot." -- Gloria Fountain (Newton Busters Coach)


"Congrats again on a fine performance!" -- Jerry Fountain (Newton Busters Coach)


"Holy buckets! Congratulations to the whole team! Hope you guys are celebrating! What a way to end that!" -- Patrick Donahoe (Brian's brother)


"Congratulations! What a great end to your season ." -- Jonathan Weiland (Illinois FTC coordinator)


"Congratulations to you both and to your team!
If you have any stats we can announce tomorrow along with news of the big win, email it my way.
Way to go! Outstanding! Way to go team! Amazing!! Way to go!
Congratulations on this well deserved win!" -- Laura Budris (Carmel Director of Student Activities )


"Brian ! Wow ! Congrats ! That is so awesome !
You guys are incredible- so cool- we never know what geniuses walk amongst us!" -- Mike Slimack (orthopedic surgeon)


"Awesome! The class I'm in just cheered. :)
St. Gilbert's Robotics class made you good luck notes. I just received them today.
I'll give them to you next week. The school is proud of you!" -- Ms. Major (Carmel teacher)


"Congrats on winning the World Championship! You guys deserved it with a great robot and smart strategic plan.
Please tell your team that all the Krakens are happy for them." -- Kraken Coach


"That's an amazing achievement. Congrats. Putting Carmel on the world map. Rock stars " -- Dan Kiernan (Libertyville High School coach)


"That's awesome news. Wish I could be there. Wow!" -- Jason Huther (Carmel principal)


"This is unbelievable. Congratulations. Incredible news. " -- Brad Bonham (Carmel president)


"Congratulations!!!! That's Awesome!!!" -- Jeff Coda (alum coach)

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From Team Members

(these were all unsolicited, all received the evening we won the championship... how kind and thoughtful.
Except Debbie's who came in with the album creation and said "hey, I want to say something")


"Thank you so much for everything this season!! Thank you Mr. Donahoe for all your guidance
this season. It has been an unbelievably great week and season,
and I am so grateful to have been able to be a part of it. We could not have performed as well as we
did without your generosity and dedication to helping us achieve our goals.
Thank you so much and great job to everyone!!!" -- Meghan


"Thank u mr donahoe for everything this weekend. It was a lot fun and our success helped that experience.
We definitely owe that success to you Mrs donahoe. Thanks for a great season. " -- Owen


"I would just like to say that everyone did a phenomenal job this past week. Although there were a few bumps,
our strategy and our driving were outstanding. Our booth and presentation was professional
and amazing. Nice job everyone!" -- Tommy


"This season was amazing both in being part of an awesome team and learning from a great mentor.
Everything you've done for both myself and this team is greatly appreciated and I'm extremely
grateful to be part of this organization that you've fostered." -- Ben


"thank you Mr. Donahoe for an amazing week and season. We appreciate all the work and
dedication you've put into this team, and I'm so happy to have been a part of it. Thank you again!" -- Terri


"Thanks Mr. Donahoe for always providing great insights and offering your help whenever possible.
Also thank you so so much for letting us use your space to do our work, without your help we
would be no where close to what we are today. No one Mr. Huther picks could ever live up to your
greatness as a coach. A special thank you mrs. donahoe and Mr. Mons for taking it upon themselves
to change our hotels around, for it was extremely important to our success. This has overall been an
excellent season and it would not be possible without each and every one of your contributions.
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!! Thank you for coming to my TED talk I'm going to take a nap now." -- Brendon


"Our last show went well and I got so many congratulations for the team, we did great and we
couldnt have done it without mr. D. Thank you for your constant encouragement (loud or soft), it's
what led us to such great heights. I hope that we can use what you taught us to go forward
into a hopefully successful future" -- Andrew


"Thank you Mr. Donahoe for helping us this season. I can't believe we won worlds!
It wouldn't have been possible without your amazing guidance and coaching throughout." -- Allen


"Thank you Mr & Mrs. Donahoe for all the aid and support youve given us this entire season!
Your words of wisdom always helped us to succeed and I'm grateful to have been a part of it all." -- Szymon


"Thank you Mr & Mrs Donahoe for your constant support throughout the season.
You guys always pushed us to come up with the best solutions which allowed us to succeed.
Plus your reminders to work on things like the presentation and doing practice runs kept us always on
track to success. Thank you guys so much. " -- Ricky


"Thank you. You guys performed outstanding this week and this season. And it showed.
Many people shared that with me. I hope to capture some of it in the album. [editor's note: see above!]
You have all been amazing.Thank you guys for the nice words. You guys rock.
Our strategy came to be significant and drive team performed so admirably and under
tremendous pressure. Ford Field! Holy crap.. And robot held up for 13 friggin matches. Wow. " -- Coach Brian


"I'm so proud of you all! Everyone worked very hard to get to this point. The team Kevin and Danny started
4 years ago has been building and getting better each year and you pushed it thru the goal!. What an amazing
finish! Now Brian can retire from coaching with no regrets. :)" -- Assistant _{to the} Coach, Debbie

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AP News Article summarizing the event (NYAN mentions highlighted in yellow)