|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Duel Master Volunteer
2007 Nomination - Mr. Paul Sabatino By Siri Maley "Mr. Paul Sabatino has carried team 1640 on his back since
its inception four years ago; despite the fact that he’s had two
major back surgeries since then. To the world, Mr. Sabatino is an
ex-marine engineer and physics and chemistry teacher. To us,
Sab’s head mentor, chief engineer, project director, public
affairs manager, screw-up-fixer and everything-elser. We love him
because he knows everything, has done everything, and can teach us
anything we ask, theoretical or practical. When something goes,
not only can explain what to do, but why. He makes sure students
are excited about and allowed to participate in every part of the
build. We build the robot, we find the parts, and we fix it. He
teaches; we implement. We screw up; he guides us to solving the
problem. We’re lost; he finds us. We all know that no matter how
big the problem or tight the time crunch, it’ll be all right as
long as Sab’s there.
Sab inspires us to take responsible risks and explore new fields of engineering. He challenges us to challenge ourselves. Every one of our graduates is now college bound, 90% for science in general, and 80% in engineering. They all depart—though never fully leave—with a strong sense of self-confidence, pride, joy, and nostalgia, and most importantly, gracious professionalism. Sab allows nothing but gracious professionalism wherever he is, whether in class or with the team. He also ensures all seniors have some sort of actively-pursued leadership experience, and more than enough engineering skill to make them comfortable in college. He inspires our creativity and our will to share it with others, from team brainstorming to public exhibitions. He plans all the meetings and all the corporate visits, including a major fundraising demo barely three weeks after a major surgery. He coordinates with the mentors and guides the students. To me, he’s the closest thing I have to a living father. He recruits students from our school’s other campus, despite its general disinterest. This year, he single-handedly fought his way through the school board to get us a place to work, which we may get next season. Corporation treasuries and their employees love the presentations he organizes, and he thanks and honors them for their help. We also fundraise by selling at least 800 muffins per week to our classmates, an idea which he came up with and organized. It was only this fall that his doctor finally had to order him to stop making daily muffins runs because of his back. Despite orders, he’ll still do dangerous and unhealthy things for the team and any of its members. Every season, he floats thousands of dollars on his own credit card to keep the team running. Sab has put his heart and soul into this team and its members, and we can never repay him for that. He’s filled every position we’ve needed to keep the team going, working overtime even during the off-season. One weekend after a huge blizzard and ice storm, well before our meeting was scheduled to start, he drove to school, emailed all us of the road conditions, and canceled the meeting. He waited to make sure no one was confused and everyone was all right. Only then did he drive back home. Merriam Webster® defines a mentor as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. I find that their definition for “superman” works better." |
 |
