Students

Aaliyah D (She/Her)

Aaliyah D

I'm pretty proud of being spirit leader 3 years in a row, learning SOME names of tools, and learning how to use heavy machinery.

Mechanical Team

Aianna Y (She/Her)

Aianna

I learned about the importance of knowing one’s limits and time management. Having a schedule and staying on track is critical for a successful season, so I am glad that there is a system for that this season.

Drives/Electrical Team

Alim K (She/Her)

Alim K

I learned about Html and how to use Html to code a web site, Also, learned how to design a web site using CSS. The thinks that I accomplish is that I added the team picture on the website. I learned how to use the camera to take pictures.

Promotions/Fundraising Team

Cameron M

Cameron M

At the beginning of the season last year, I was fairly timid and didn't talk to many people, but by the end of the season after travelling and whatnot, I made many friends, most of which I still talk to today... I'm glad to have gotten on Software this year, especially since this is what I want to get into in the future.

Robot SW Team

Daniel J

Daniel J

I accomplished building a robot, strip wires, and I learned how to work on a mechanical team.

Field Build Team

Edward C

Edward C

I'm on the mechanical team, and enjoy learning about engineering stuff. This is my second year on the team.

Mechanical Team

Ja S (He/Him)

App Team

Jackson C (They/Them)

I was born in Rochester but grew up in Alaska. I was mainly schooled in Alaska, and love math, and am part of class of 2027

Robot SW Team

James P

James P

Even now I find difficulties in my software, I experience failure frequently. I get frustrated and annoyed with my software. All of these things are very normal, but what's important is that I can go back to the code, locate my errors, and learn from the mistake. Even if I fail again and again and again, I refuse to let it discourage me. Because failure is not the end of an effort, it is merely a hurdle on the path to success.

Robot SW Team

Jonas C (He/Him)

Jonas C

I was born in Las Vegas, then moved to New York. I'm a 10th grader and my favorite class is science. I enjoy gardening, photography, and art.

Electrical Team

Kanhiya J (She/Her)

Kanhiya J

At first, I didn’t like it I was really nervous because I did not know anyone that was on the XCats team. As time went on I learned so much about many different things, like you don't have to be super into technology to be on the X-Cats.

Promotions/Funraising Team

Kendrick B(He/Him)

Kendrick

I attended one of the off-season events, and it was a fantastic experience. Everything was extremly new to me, I was a bit confused but as the day went by the gist of Robotics was explained to me and how XCats manages to handle the build season with plenty of sub teams that work together to create a masterpiece. By the end of the event, I was sure I wanted to be an XCat.

Promotions/Fundraising Team

Kiara R (She/Her)

Kiara R

I achieved becoming a part of the drives team again and learned how to extend my specialties in Promoting and Fundraising.

Promotions/Fundraising Team

Mackenzie (KJ) J (She/They)

Mackenzie

During my first year, I was always a quiet person and never communicated much but this year, I’m proud to say that I’ve stepped out of that isolated shell. If I had someone to thank for that, I’d thank DaTwan.

Web SW Team

Maddison (Maddie) J (She/Her)

Maddison J

A team accomplishment I made was becoming scoutmaster. I didn't even know that it was a thing at the time until my mentors said that I should do it. I didn't even know that it was a thing at the time until my mentors said that I should do it. It was fun yet stressful but Jan helped me create a schedule and things went better than before.

App SW Team

Minnatalla (Minna) B

Minna Minna B

When I came to the meeting I actually really enjoy it so far. I think that going this team was a great decision and I hope to learn a lot.

Promotions/Fundraising Team

Noor H

Noor H

I joined X-Cats because I thought it was a great opportunity to get into stem. I'm on the App team and hope to learn the basics on how to make an Android app, personal website, and programming using Java.

App SW Team

Quinn G (They/Them)

Elinor

I developed my speaking skills and advocated to state legislature for the amendment to the FIRST team funding. Participating in advocacy while we were in Albany and then later going to Albany for the STEM thing took extra time and effort on top of what I was already dedicating to the team and it was very worth it.

Web SW Team

Reyna K (She/Her)

Reyna K

There were a lot of things that didn’t go as planned last year but we still got a robot to competition. Although the issues weren’t good for us in the moment, they helped us learn what we could improve. I think that it’s important to experience hardships since it motivates you to work harder moving forward.

CAD Team

Serenity M (She/Her)

Serenity M

I learned that robotics is a very communicative activity.

Promotions/Fundraising Team

Tristan J

Tristan J

What I have learned here from this year was how to work with CAD and how to build some of the parts of the Robot. One of the accomplishment I have for being on the team is being able to be here more this year.

Integration/CAD Team

Tuolumne (Tula) G (She/Her)

Tuolumne G

This is my third year on the team, I have been part of the mech team for all of that time. I have worked on the Impact award for the last two years, and have been co-pit boss with Aianna for all three years. I learned alot about the principles of design and how to plan out a build.

Electro-Mechanical Team

Warren G (He/Him)

Warren G

This is my third year on the X-Cats. I've always been on robot software. Last year I learned how to use PID controllers, which are essentially a way to get the motor to adjust itself to be in the speed or position you want.

Robot SW Team

Neema B (She/Her)

Neema B.

I was born in Burundi and grew up most of my life in America. I wanna major in either agriculture engineering or in Orthodontist. I have 2 favorite classes and they are in math and science.

Mechanical Team

Sky K(He/Him)

Sky K

Electro-Mechanical

Mentors

DaTwan Dixon

DaTwan Dixon

From the team, the team spirit, the drives team, the graduates, the “rebuild year” which ended up being 5th place at Buckeye Regionals, 2022 was nothing short of amazing. The bar was set and the bar was raised.

Web SW Mentor
Software & Systems Engineer

Jan Enderle (She/Her)

Jan Enderle

rejoined the X-Cats because my daughter wanted to be on the team when she was in high school. I stayed on the X-Cats because how else does one spend winter in Rochester, NY? No, really, I stayed because it's gratifying to learn and share and turn high school kids' ideas a reality.

Mechanical Team 1 Mentor
Mechanical Engineer

Bill Enderle

Bill Enderle

Change is a part of life. It is rare that you will do the same thing forever. He will change jobs. You’ll change companies. You will change the place you live. What I’ve learned is that you need to embrace change as it is a way to help you grow.

Mechanical Team 2 Mentor
Packaging Engineer

Shauna Ormon

Shauna Ormon

Their dedication to the team and countless extra hours, inspired us mentors and allowed this vision to come to fruition. As most of them have returned, I am confident the team will surpass even their own expectations and build an incredible robot!

Robot Software Mentor
Software Engineer

Douglass (Doug) Caine (He/Him)

Douglass Caine

Working on 3yrs. First season was as a parent volunteer. I am now in my second season as the Field Build mentor.

Field Build Mentor
Professional

Molly Gildea

Molly Gildea

My main accomplishment was recruiting and retaining a set of about 10 middle school students for X-Cats. It was a lot of work keeping them safe and focused. I think I did a good job translating their needs to adults who are used to older students.

Mechanical Team 2 Mentor
Math Teacher

Jeffrey Huspen

Jeffrey Huspen

I helped in some of the off-season events. I also help maintain the site where the X-Cats call home, and I will continue to do my best to make this project a success.

Build Mentor
Engineer

Dan Knopp

Dan Knopp

Heard of X-cats through running friends Shauna, Jan, Bill, Datwan, always wanted to be involved with FRC and enjoy mentoring and being involved in community. Looking forward to learning all about robots this year.

Robot SW Mentor
Information Technology

Lauren (Kay) Jennings

Lauren Jennings

The fact that “things don’t always go as planned” and to relax and “go with the flow” were the lessons that were reiterated for me last season as “everything worked out in the end”.

Promotions/Business Mentor
Medical coding

Daniel Rabess

Daniel Rabess

"My son is Ethan 2 years old. My wife works night shift, so because of our schedule I'm usually late or leaving early to our sessions. So this year it was important for me to really lean on my fellow mentors to keep the ball in the air when I'm not around. It's the same lesson we try and teach the students. We're all in this together.

App SW Mentor
Software Engineer

Jeff Sciortino

Jeff Sciortino

7th year. Ambassador robot, innovation, mech, electrical/drives, electrical/drives/bumpers.

Drives/Electrical Mentor
Nuclear Engineer

Carlos Terrero

Carlos_Terrero

I have been on the team for a long time working on the mechanical subteams on things that have worked and others that have not, but for the most part things that have worked well. Despite that I am always open to hearing from new members and trying new things. Last year we had a first-year mentor, Scott, that was former student on FIRST team Code Red and at the time a UofR student. He had brought a new approach to what we were accustomed to. Despite having all these years of experience on him, I opened myself to his ideas and creativity. The robot was influenced heavily by this and for the better. My accomplishment was to be open new ideas and not to do things the same old ways, and hope to continue challenging myself to not do things tomorrow the same way I did them today.

Integration/CAD Mentor
Mechanical Engineer

Prashant Phadnis

Prashant Phadnis

Last year being my first year, I learned how well the team works together in a fun and cooperative way during the season. It was also fun to see the students grow and develop their skill set, which hopefully they can use throughout their lives and understand the importance of a STEM education.

Web SW Mentor
Software Engineer

Monica Phadnis

Monica Phadnis

Monica is on the Web team. She helps students code our team website and design their personal websites.

Web SW Mentor
Game Designer

John Vance

John Vance

John is on the Web team. He helps students code our team website and design their personal websites.

Web SW Mentor
Game Designer

Romona Stalnaker (She/Her)

Romona_Stalnaker

Last year, with the help of Aianna, I learned how to use Pixlr. I designed some pretty creative Lego minifig buttons of our mentors. Also, I helped create a new Cheer book.

Promotions/Business Mentor
Professional

Kimberly (Kim) Tookes

Kimberly Tookes

Kim is on the Promotions/Business team. She helps students to create fundraisers, advertise the team, and manage the teams funds.

Promotions/Business Mentor
High School Biology Teacher

Amanda Purver

Amanda Purver

Amanda is on the Promotions/Business team. She helps students to create fundraisers, advertise the team, and manage the teams funds.

Promotions/Business Mentor
High School Teacher

Wilma (Vee) Chlebove

Wilma (Vee) Chlebove

They have curiosity while also needing guidance. It gives me purpose while also trying to make it fun - we laugh together.

App SW Mentor
Software Manager

Chuck Moon

Chuck Moon

Nick Wight (He/Him)

Nick Wight

My current subteam is systems which is just a fancy way of saying we try to keep the robot from imploding in a timely fashion and make sure that all of the different subsystems fit together nicely.

Integration/CAD Mentor
Professional

Vicki Robertson (She/Her)

Vicki Robertson

This is my 6th year as a mentor and 10th year as a parent . I've been on Promotions and fundraising before switching to electrical/drives. Last year was the first we applied for the Impact (chairman's) award for decades.We learned it was a whole lot of work, but it also helped us synthesize all the amazing work we do.

Drives/Electrical Mentor
Electrical engineer

Mikayllah Jones

Mikayllah Jones

I wish I had taken the opportunity to be apart of X-Cats when I was in high school. I was so happy to learn that my children are interested in the program ;)... It's fun to see first hand how the students can get ahead in school and the workforce. This is my second chance. I'm elated and proud to be apart of the team, it really is a dream come true.

Promotions/Business Mentor
Professional

Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones is a mentor for the Promotions team.

Promotions/Business Mentor
Tattoo Artist

Aidan Sciortino

Aidan Sciortino

Aidan is an alumnus of the team, former member of the CAD, App, Controls, and Software subteams, and is now a remote mentor on the Software Subteam. He recently used skills learned at X-Cats to secure a Software Engineering Job in California!

Robot SW Mentor
Professional

Jeffery Kern

Jeffery Kern

Ed is a mentor on the Promotions team. He travels all over the US to volunteer at FIRST Competitions.

Win-Jing Chin

Win-Jing Chin

My name is Win-Jing Chin (Jenny) and this is my first year on the X-Cats team. I love feeding back to society. I joined X-Cats team as a mentor at the end of last year. The trip to Connecticut to support the STEM program for BGCS team with Jan and Datwan work team last year triggers my motivation to join X-Cats team.

App SW Mentor
Software Engineer

Patty Frazier

Patty Frazier

Mrs. Frazier has been a teacher and mentor on the web team as well as the promotions team. This season, she is on subatical, but cheering and rooting for the team in the background. We can't wait to have her back soon, so that she can help out with some of her wonderful team award give-aways.

Promotions/Business Mentor
Teacher

Kenya Calvin

Kenya Calvin

Mark Kruse

Mark Kruse

Mike Riethmeier

Mike Riethmeier

Sara Robertson

Sara Robertson

Stan Stevensen

Stan Stevensen

Yasser Abdelshafy

Yasser Abdelshafy