Bernie DiCristofalo
Mentor, Team 1230
I started teaching Technology Education at Herbert H. Lehman High School the year my daughter was born 1979. In 1989 I became the assistant principal of the Business, Technology, Music and Art Departments. Since then we have created a number of vocational and technical programs at the school. However, none have been as rewarding as the FIRST Robotics and Engineering Program. I created the robotics team with an English teacher, Ms. Adrian Viscovich in 2003. Since that time we have won numerous awards and traveled to a number of cities in the United States. Many of our
alumni have gone on to successful careers in science and technology.
Although I retired in 2008, I have continued with the team, along with my wife Denise and son Justin.
Jimmy Chu Mentor, Team 1230
In 2006, I retired after 37 years as a Technology teacher in Stevenson HS, Bronx, NY. My involvement with Lehman Lionics, FRCTeam 1230 began soon after. Wow! I didn’t know that I was getting into the most competitive, stressful, exciting, fun, rewarding six years of my life; I only knew that I had a passion for all things mechanical. Working as their coach /mentor has been so challenging and rewarding. Seeing what a team of dedicated roboteers can produce after six intensive weeks literally brought me tears of joy and relief last year that culminated in placing second in the NYC FRC Regional. As an educator, I am most gratified by the number of students whose lives were inspired and changed by our Lehman Lionics team. This experience is truly one of the highlights of my life.
Carl H. Jules- Team Captain
As a team leader, I have had many experiences and lessons inside the classroom setting, but more importantly, my favorite place to learn is with my FIRST Robotics team. From building season through competition days, we are full of joy and pride for having completed something that everyone else recognizes as an outstanding achievement at our school. FIRST Robotics changed my personality and view of everyone and everything around me. As an immigrant student, I felt shy and empty, having moved to the United States at the age of eleven. This was because my hard accent had disconnected me from everyone else due to their immaturity. I encountered FIRST Lego League in eighth grade when I was asked of my dream job ten to fifteen years from then and nervously responded with "Engineer;" unaware of the multiple branches or what Engineering even was. My mentor later informed me of the team present in the school and introduced me to the Team Coach who accepted me, although they had partaken a quarter of the way through their season. Since then, I developed public speaking and my confidence rose gradually although I still have an accent. I later understood my role as a team driver and co-programmer and later announced as the team co-captain due to my dedication and joy for FIRST Robotics. That year, we were one of the four United States teams chosen to participate in the FIRST Lego League Asian Championship held in Tokyo, Japan. Not too many immigrants, like myself, had the opportunity to represent America at my age. That's when I realized that I would really want to spend the rest of my life building robots solving issues that actual scientists and engineers are working on in groups for large companies. I decided to attend a high school which had a robotics team and having the FIRST Lego League Competition experience and the dedication, three of my teammates and I joined the robotics team my fresh man year and won the rookie award of the year and later became the First Team Captain of the team my sophomore year.
Yesenia Ordonez-Team Co-Captain
“Why are you just sitting here? Come with me to robotics, you’ll have fun.” I would never forget that fateful Wednesday; the day that I was first introduced to my now, Lehman Lionics family. My name is Yesenia Ordonez and I am a senior at Herbert H. Lehman high school. Being a very timid girl who grew up in an extremely conservative household, I was always afraid to expose myself to new activities and not to mention new people. My very close confidant, Carl Jules who was also an avid member of the FIRST Lehman Lionics robotics team persuaded me to take a look at what he does on a daily basis with the team. The moment he opened that door, I saw the vigorous work that was being performed by all of the team members but most of all, I saw the passion and the fire that illuminated them as they completed each task. I took some cautious steps towards the equipment, but that being said; I got right to work as Carl assigned my first task. I was nervous but it was finally complete. Mr. DiCristofalo who was, and still is the coach of the Lionics, took one look at my construction and said, “I think we’ve just found our newest female member to the team.” From building season to the actual competition, it has been a complete whirlwind but I could never deny the fact that I’ve fallen head over heels in love the smells of shaven aluminum and wood, the sound of the drill press and the pleasant sight of companionship and joy. Robotics is not only a sport for the mind, but a canvas just waiting to but redesigned by passionate teens with their creativity and wit. My love for the FIRST robotics community is incomparable and so is my love for my love for my Lehman Lionics family. I have no words to express my infinite gratitude to my mentors Mr. Bernie Dicristofalo, Mr. Jimmy Chu and Mr. Constantine Cherpelis for allowing me to step out or my comfort zone and opening my eyes to the miraculous wonders of engineering. Thank You FIRST.
Amado Sanchez-Team Co-Captain
My name is Amado Sanchez, team Co-Captain in FIRSTTeam 1230 The Lehman Lionics. I’ve been with FIRST Robotics for four years inboth FIRST Lego League and FIRST Robotics Competition. FIRST Robotics has been a major impact in my life. I have visited other parts of the world I neverthought I’d visit, such as Japan. FIRST has taught me many values such as teamwork, commitment, and most importantly
gracious professionalism. I have also learned good skills in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering.
gracious professionalism. I have also learned good skills in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering.
Danny Vidal- Mechanical Engineer
I have seen team 1230 take shape based on the different people that join over the years. These people come with different ideas that help the
team in a special way. This team really taught me a lot about myself. I was questioned a couple of times on what I wanted to be in the future. I didn’t know how to reply because I had no idea what I wanted to study in college. Team 1230 made me realize what I wanted to do. This team has the perfect combination of teamwork and knowledge to make every year a challenge for the other teams. The team really helped me value teamwork over working alone. Team 1230 has made me realize my passion for engineering. I know that I will flourish in the field of engineering from what I have learned from this team. Thank you Team 1230.
team in a special way. This team really taught me a lot about myself. I was questioned a couple of times on what I wanted to be in the future. I didn’t know how to reply because I had no idea what I wanted to study in college. Team 1230 made me realize what I wanted to do. This team has the perfect combination of teamwork and knowledge to make every year a challenge for the other teams. The team really helped me value teamwork over working alone. Team 1230 has made me realize my passion for engineering. I know that I will flourish in the field of engineering from what I have learned from this team. Thank you Team 1230.
Kenichi Yamamoto- Mechanical Engineer
My name is Kenichi Yamamoto and I have been a member of the First Robotics Team since freshman year. The FIRST Robotics Team, as I see it, can be best described as a group of bright and interesting people who work together to reach the common goal of building a fully functioning robot. Ever since I joined the FIRST Robotics Team, FIRST has helped teach me not only to build robots, but also how to work as a team. The ideas you learn in the classroom come to light when you actually get a chance to put them into action; and FIRST has helped me realize this through brainstorming with my fellow teammates, who are not only bright thinkers, but good friends as well.
Juan Matamoros- Mechanical Engineer
FIRST has been a very influential in my life. It has made me realize some important things in my life. First and most important of all, it made me see what I want to be in life. Originally, I thought it would be some sort of doctor, but now I have seen what really calls out to me; to be a mechanical engineer. I have also witnessed first hand the importance of team work and how crucial it is to be in a team. Being part of a robotics team has also helped me overcome some of my fears. One being too shy towards others. That is being part of the team doesn't just include the people in it, but it is also to be part of a community. Robotics has become my second family.
Dennis Appiah- Mechanical Engineer
To me, it was a dream. To my limitations, it was a joke. To FIRST, it is a challenge that gave me a chance to get a head start on what I have wanted to become in future, an Engineer. Lehman High School Robotics has given me the opportunity to be creative without limits. In addition, it has turned my worse life experiences into a great new way of creating things to solve some, and I hope most, of the world's problems as I progress. A quote, "Some birds are not meant to be in a cage, because their feathers are too bright." is one I can relate to in that from Africa, where I came from as compared to where I am now, I can see fate has a great future for me.