Thank you for joining us at the 2025 FIRST Mentor Conference workshop, Impact That Resonates: Framing Your Story with Integrity.
Below is a link to the slides from the workshop and resources links. If you have any questions. You can email Elise at elise@liseydreams.com for questions and/or comments.
Presenters: Cathy Schulz (1538) and Elise Cronin-Hurley (1902)
Key Takeaway: Context and authenticity help judges understand your team’s impact within its unique resources.
What makes a FIRST Impact Award submission truly stand out? Submissions that resonate are grounded in authenticity, clarity, data, as well as context. We’ll explore how to effectively frame your team’s unique story, highlight meaningful achievements, and communicate outcomes in a way that reflects your team’s values and resources. Learn how integrity and thoughtful storytelling can provide the judges better understanding of your team’s journey and efforts with mentors from the FIRST Hall of Fame.
About the Presenters:
Cathy Schulz (Team 1538 The Holy Cows) and Elise Cronin-Hurley (Team 1902 Exploding Bacon), FIRST Hall of Fame teams
Cathy has mentored Team 1538 since 2009, guiding Chairman’s (FIA) and Business efforts. A dedicated FIRST volunteer, she’s served as a FIRST Impact Judge, Judge Advisor, Event Director, FLL Program Delivery Partner, and host of the 3 Day Open for FIRST LEGO League. Cathy’s presenting experience has included, 8 FIRST Impact Chats at Champs, 5 Helping Creates an Effective Chairman’s (FIA) Submission, presentations at San Diego Mentor Workshops, Countless FLL Project Presentation workshops, How to Inspire Your Team to Effectively Present in Front of Judges.
Elise, 1902 mentor since 2011: business teams & past team lead. FIRST Volunteer: Judge, Judge Advisor, & Champs Inspection Manager. Board Member for Orlando & Tallahassee Florida Regional Planning Committees. 40 years professional communications experience. Elise’s presenting experience has includes, 8 FIRST Champs Sessions since 2013, 4 FIRST Impact Chats at Champs, FMC 2023, 2024 & 2025, 5 Florida mentor training workshops in 2 yrs, numerous workshops on Team Sustainability, Awards, & Imagery. Several professionally on imagery and branding.
Tip
Think beyond awards: What legacy are you building?
About the Author
Serving as a mentor since 2011, Elise Cronin-Hurley also served as a Team Lead of 4-H Exploding Bacon Robotics Team 1902 from 2016 – 2019. She volunteers at FIRST events, and serves on two regional planning committees. She is the FIRST Hall of Fame chair; a member of the FIRST Mentor Conference planning committee; and has conducted workshops on imagery, awards, team organization and more. By day she is a freelance web and graphic designer. Read More about Elise