Midge Nichelason

I worked with Austin for 3 years at the Albuquerque Academy. I was inspired at his memorial service to do something in his memory. So I decided to take Austin's love of science, kids, and technology and pay it forward to my fifth grade gifted students at Carlos Rey. Nine students from our school learned about robotics through the VexIQ program and won trophies at the tournament at UNM! Our school's trophy case was empty but now there are trophies and photos of our Robo Lobo robotics team. I shared with them about this remarkable young man in whose memory we were playing and how they too could become successful college students in STEM areas. One boy was so excited since he had never thought about college as a real possibility, even though he is extraordinarily gifted in many areas! I have never done robotics before, but knew how pleased Austin would be to watch me struggle and do this anyway! He will always be missed, but when I see a spark in my students' eyes, I see a little bit of his spirit still!