Awards

[ ILT ] Inspire (1st) • Think (2nd) • Connect (2nd) • Motivate (2nd) • Semifinalist alliance • Robot Performance (5th)
[ Regionals ] Promote (2nd) • Think (3rd) • Finalist alliance • Robot Performance (1st)

Meet the Team
2016 - 2016

Isabella Lau
​Team Captain

Izzie is a young, high school student who aspires to become a software engineer. In the future, Izzie sees herself as one of the leading programmers of a concept called "immersive virtual reality," or the creation of a computer-simulated, multidimensional digital world. Although she began her career in FIRST Tech Challenge as a programmer, Izzie is now in charge of organization and team development as team captain. This year, Izzie aspires to help her members recognize each of their individual potentials to help lead her team to the 2017 World Championships. To Izzie, FIRST is an opportunity to meet new people, constantly challenge herself to do even better, and introduce her to the complexities and wonders of engineering. Aside from robotics, Izzie also maintains interests in piano, community service, and learning a plethora of programming languages during her free time.

​Megan Tran
​Build Captain

After being in an FLL team for 2 years, Megan joined this team because she has been inspired to have a career in the STEM field, specifically engineering. FIRST has given Megan hands-on experience which allows her to learn new and exciting things that will help her get into the STEM world. Megan started her first season as a programmer and her second season as a builder and business captain. Megan wants to expand her horizons and find her passion. This season, Megan is the build captain. She loves the hands on experience that FIRST provides, which is why she continues to be apart of FTC. Megan loves that FIRST has so many aspects, such as mechanical engineering and business. She also loves that the FIRST environment, from team meetings to competitions, feels like another family. Most of Megan’s time is spent doing robotics and school activities but in her free time Megan enjoys to binge watch TV shows and bake.

Bella DeMarco
Business Captain

Bella is a high school student who hopes to pursue engineering in the future. While FTC and FLL robotics has caused her to have a passion for mechanical engineering, she also has an interest in civil and structural engineering. Bella has been a builder since her first season and also handles the business aspect of the team this season. In addition to building and keeping track of team funds, Bella also hopes to do some robot design work to help her team. Bella was previously on an FLL team for three years. Her interest in engineering and robotics is what brought her to this team. Bella enjoys the atmosphere of FIRST. Even though all teams are competing to their best ability and hoping to advance, everyone is still very friendly and welcoming. In addition to building robots, Bella enjoys learning foreign languages, being a part of other school clubs, and spending time with her family and friends.

Caterina Marchionne

Caterina is a witty high school student who aspires to attend Stanford and graduate with degrees in mechanical engineering and business, work under the Design Team at Apple, eventually become the Chief Officer of Design at Apple, become the next Steve Jobs, and change the world. Caterina is mostly known for her great interest and skill with electrical tools- she gets a thrill out of using the bandsaw! Caterina started her career in FIRST in the 6th grade, and ever since has continued to grow. She joined 5218 because she wanted to continue on the path of engineering and learn how to construct products with simplicity. Caterina enjoys the ability to be innovative and the chance to bond with her fellow teammates. Caterina thinks that the most rewarding aspect of the program is involving others in the program. Aside from robotics, Caterina enjoys hurdling for her school track team, playing volleyball, running in the park, playing with her dog, and reading about Steve Jobs’ influence on the world.

Linda Borja-Khalaf

Linda is someone who tries. She is willing to do new things, break metaphorical glass ceilings, and be bold. She aspires to attend college and be a developer in the nearby future. Linda is a programmer and a builder. She usually does electronics, the underlying mainframe that makes sure the robot gets power and can move. Linda joined the team because she fell in love with robotics at FIRST sight. The idea that one could build and program a robot to perform algorithms? To a 12 year old her, this team was a dream come true. Linda adores the positive feeling and motivation that FIRST creates with Gracious Professionalism. She also appreciates the fact that you have the freedom of creativity that FIRST has when it comes to mechanism design. This girl loves to crochet, tell and listen to bad jokes, and airsoft. 

Alexandra McGowan

Alexandra is a high school student who knows three languages: English, French and Spanish. Her favorite subject in school is math. She wants to do the French Baccalaureate (which focuses on maths, sciences and French). She would like to go to a college in France that concentrates on these subjects. Her future plan is to become a mechanical engineer. Alexandra is a builder on the team currently. She wants to become a better builder and expand her knowledge in programming. Alexandra joined this team with a strong interest in robotic, even though she was the only girl in her school's robotics club. FIRST is not just building, programming, controlling neither competing a robot to Alexandra; it is much, much more. Alexandra’s outside interests include learning French, playing the piano, tennis, traveling, trying new cuisines and if she has time, binge watch shows on Netflix.

Alyssa Ho

Alyssa Ho is currently adjusting to her new middle school life as a 7th grader. She hopes that in the future, she may be able to accomplish her goal of becoming an imagineer for Disney. Imagineering is a job in which she can both be creative in writing and engineering. Fresh out of FLL, Alyssa is a rookie in the FTC environment, but her main interests lie in building. However, Alyssa is open to learning a bit about everything else too. Being in FLL for three years has opened doors for Alyssa. She now sees that the future is being made right before her eyes, and she wanted to take part in it. Also being in an all girls team, she can now do engineering to the fullest. Alyssa enjoys the challenge of the FIRST environment. FIRST has taught her to look outside of the box and to look at problems from a different angle. Aside from being in robotics, Alyssa also enjoys writing, swimming, solving puzzles, playing the cello and piano, and reading books.

Jackie Banh

As a young girl, Jackie was always interested in building. From building legos when she was 3 to building robots. Since, she started FLL, she knows that she wants to go into the mechanical engineering and robotics field when she grows up. Being a rookie on the team, Jackie’s interests are mainly on building. Jackie also has other interest, such as electronics, wiring, 3D printing and a little in programming. After three years of FLL, Jackie has moved on to FTC. FLL has showed Jackie that she wants to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. Jackie wanted to challenge herself and learn as much as she can and FIRST offered it. Jackie likes how FIRST is a program made to interest young people into the world of STEM. Another thing Jackie likes about FIRST is that it makes well rounded people. Jackie enjoys meeting new people through FIRST and how FIRST challenges require people to think outside of the box. Outside of robotics, Jackie plays basketball in her free time and for a team. She enjoys sleeping and watching Netflix. Jackie also participates in clubs and volunteers in the community.

Lizzie Lau

As of right now, Lizzie is a 9th grader testing out the waters of high school. Ever since she can remember, Lizzie has been dreaming and working on her road to become a surgeon specializing in neurology and robotic surgery. Lizzie is a programmer, designer, and 3D printer tech support on the team having recently joined the team as an overall rookie. After recently graduating from 3 years of FLL, Lizzie wanted a challenge relating to FIRST, and joining FTC seemed to give her exactly that. From the moment that Lizzie has been in FIRST, she has always admired the atmosphere of creativity, freedom, and especially nerdiness affiliated with the FIRST community. Some hobbies that Lizzie finds time for are practicing the piano, harp, participating in speech tournaments, learning about 3D printer settings in her free time, securing her understanding of Java, and taking naps.

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Meet the Mentors

Julie Townsend
Robotics Engineer at JPL

"When I was 13, a summer camp inspired me to become an Aerospace Engineer, and mentoring this team lets me help today’s girls find that inspiration. I love seeing the girls’ leadership skills and confidence in technical abilities grow through each season."

Craig MacFarlane
Software Engineer at Cisco

"I am at a point in my career in which I feel the need to give back, so I went searching for STEM and volunteer opportunities. I found Girl Scouts and FTC seemed like a great fit. After joining this team, I realized that teenage girls are nothing like their representation on the Disney Channel."

Taylor Halsey
Biology Teaching Associate at Cal Poly Pomona

"I became involved in FTC through my own participation on the team when I was in high school. My participation has sparked a lifelong love for FIRST and I continue to get back on volunteering in any way possible. As a mentor, I love helping girls go through similar journeys as they discover their love of STEM."

Phoebe Rhodes-Wickett
Mechanical Engineer at JPL

"‘Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity’, and my goal is to help this team of young engineers prepare for these opportunities. FIRST is an amazing program that truly prepares its students for their futures, and I am thankful to be a small part of that."

Dale Gallego
X-Ray Field Service Manager at Western Diagnostic Imaging Systems

"I’m volunteering my electrical, mechanical, and electronic skills & experience to aid the learning process of problem-solving."

David Braun
Mechanical Engineer at JPL

Ben Rhodes-Wickett
​Mechanical Engineer at JPL