What began as one team’s way of honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Woodie Flowers has grown into a global celebration of Gracious Professionalism®.
FIRST® Robotics Competition Team 3284 “LASER” from Camdenton, Missouri, founded Walk Like Woodie Day in 2019 as a tribute to the late Dr. Woodie Flowers and the values he championed. Now, every October students and teams from around the world come together to celebrate Walk Like Woodie Day and put those values into action, recognizing the importance of respect, kindness, and support for everyone in the FIRST® community.
In honor of Walk Like Woodie Day, we caught up with Team LASER to learn more about the ways their team lives out Gracious Professionalism, from the initiatives they lead within their community to the lasting impact they hope to make beyond FIRST.
FIRST Staff: How do students on your team apply Gracious Professionalism to other aspects of their lives?
Team LASER: Our students use Gracious Professionalism in their everyday lives by choosing kindness, upholding a good attitude, and lending a helping hand to those in need everywhere they go. Students grow through FIRST with Core Values and carry those same values with them throughout their entire lives, using them to then help mold future students into STEM leaders and visionaries.
FIRST Staff: Why is it important to your team to carry the legacy of Gracious Professionalism forward?
Team LASER: Carrying the legacy of Gracious Professionalism is important to our students because they witness the importance of their actions firsthand. Students see how their tenacity, generosity, and helpfulness make an everlasting impact on those around them and how one act of kindness at a time can make a true difference in the lives of others.
Students on Team LASER putting together STEM kits for their community
FIRST Staff: How does your team embody the ethos of Gracious Professionalism during each FIRST season?
Team LASER: Our team brings Gracious Professionalism to life in a number of ways. Through Operation Clean Sweep, designated team members visit other teams at competitions to offer any supplies or tools they might need. We also support our community through our initiative to provide hygiene products to anyone who needs them. We were also excited to host an Impact Exchange, where we shared tips and techniques with other teams for preparing presentations and answering questions.
FIRST Staff: How have team alumni carried the ethos into their careers?
Team LASER: Our alumni carry the spirit of Gracious Professionalism with them long after their time on the team. Several have gone on to work at companies like SpaceX and Google, where they continue to put these values into practice every day. Whether they’re challenging their peers to grow, encouraging one another to do their best, or simply lifting someone’s spirits, they show how Gracious Professionalism can make a difference in any workplace.