Alex Cormier was one of the founding members of team 1126 and since then, he has been on several other FIRST teams. He designs and makes items such as trophies, custom graphics, etched glass, and other creative custom projects on his website: www.TwoPencilDesigns.com.
In this edition he tells us the story of how he got interested in FIRST and why he chose to stick with it.
[Responses
from June 1, 2014]
Name: Alex Cormier
CD Username: Alex Cormier
Current Gig/Job: Machine Builder
Alma Mater/Degree: Alfred State College; Electro-Mech; Ass.
Current Team(s): 1405
Location: Rochester, NY
Hobbies: Robots, Darts, Bon Fires
I want to thank Team
3847 for the opportunity for me to participate in this great initiative. The
opportunity to learn about other people in the FRC community is great.
3847 for the opportunity for me to participate in this great initiative. The
opportunity to learn about other people in the FRC community is great.
What inspired you to do
what you do?
what you do?
The truth is FIRST inspired me to be and do what
I am about nowadays. Back in my youth I was playing football and wrestling. One
evening during wrestling practice, I was on the mat and couldn’t raise my left
leg more than 3”. I went to see the doctor the next day. I needed surgery for a
dislocated hip and wasn’t allowed to play any more physical sports. That same
year, I was at home watching tv when I noticed these robot competitions on
ESPN. I looked over to my mom in the kitchen and told her I want to do that
some day. Amazingly enough, when school started back up the next year, there
was an informational meeting for a team in my high school, SparX out of
Webster, NY team 1126. Back in 2003, was our first year and it was amazing, so
I have been hooked ever since.
I am about nowadays. Back in my youth I was playing football and wrestling. One
evening during wrestling practice, I was on the mat and couldn’t raise my left
leg more than 3”. I went to see the doctor the next day. I needed surgery for a
dislocated hip and wasn’t allowed to play any more physical sports. That same
year, I was at home watching tv when I noticed these robot competitions on
ESPN. I looked over to my mom in the kitchen and told her I want to do that
some day. Amazingly enough, when school started back up the next year, there
was an informational meeting for a team in my high school, SparX out of
Webster, NY team 1126. Back in 2003, was our first year and it was amazing, so
I have been hooked ever since.
What is your day job,
and how’d you get there?
and how’d you get there?
In this day and age, one income is just not
enough to get me by with all my toys. J
enough to get me by with all my toys. J
During the day, I am a machine builder. I wire
and fabricate equipment for automated machines. I build anything from small
enclosures to giant 140’ 4 line conveyor systems to assemble fuel injectors.
and fabricate equipment for automated machines. I build anything from small
enclosures to giant 140’ 4 line conveyor systems to assemble fuel injectors.
At night, I have my own business; Two Pencil
Designs. We like to design items to help contribute to the robotics community.
The other half of the business is glass etching, where we go to a few local
festivals and sell our wonderful glassware.
Here’s a link to my website: http://twopencildesigns.com/wp/
Designs. We like to design items to help contribute to the robotics community.
The other half of the business is glass etching, where we go to a few local
festivals and sell our wonderful glassware.
Here’s a link to my website: http://twopencildesigns.com/wp/
What is your favorite story
to tell about robotics?
to tell about robotics?
My favorite story comes from my very first
competition. After we won the competition at buckeye (thanks to 27 and 540),
the driver came running over to me and in the process of going crazy, we
knocked over the huge section of pipe and drape. Celebrate at all costs, right?
competition. After we won the competition at buckeye (thanks to 27 and 540),
the driver came running over to me and in the process of going crazy, we
knocked over the huge section of pipe and drape. Celebrate at all costs, right?
What’s your favorite
robot that you didn’t help build?
robot that you didn’t help build?
Team 67’s 2004 machine. I had the liberty to see
and compete with that machine for 1 regional victory and 1 divisional victory.
That was a beastly machine and so good looking. Vinyl flames make everything
look better.
and compete with that machine for 1 regional victory and 1 divisional victory.
That was a beastly machine and so good looking. Vinyl flames make everything
look better.
What do you listen to
while you work?
There’s usually a radio or two on in the shop at
work. Just the local stations like oldies, rock, and country.
work. Just the local stations like oldies, rock, and country.
What’s your schedule
like during build season?
like during build season?
Robotics is my favorite when it comes to winter.
(Our local NHL hockey team isn’t that great anymore…) So I will go to as many
meetings as possible. I can easily say that I have been to robotics 90% of the
days from kick off to bag day. That also includes voluntary days.
(Our local NHL hockey team isn’t that great anymore…) So I will go to as many
meetings as possible. I can easily say that I have been to robotics 90% of the
days from kick off to bag day. That also includes voluntary days.
What everyday thing are
you better at than anyone else?
you better at than anyone else?
I always like to think of things that I can make
money on. I would walk to through stores, look at items and see what I can do
to make them better and sell them.
money on. I would walk to through stores, look at items and see what I can do
to make them better and sell them.
What’s the best advice
you’ve ever received?
you’ve ever received?
Nothing ever gets done, without first trying.
What is your favorite
guilty pleasure?
guilty pleasure?
Currently it is Darts. I have joined a few local
leagues. It’s a great time and lets me keep that competitiveness when robotics isn’t going on.
leagues. It’s a great time and lets me keep that competitiveness when robotics isn’t going on.
Fill in the blank. I’d
love to see ________answer these same questions.
love to see ________answer these same questions.
Dustin Benedict.
Anything else you want
people to know about you?
people to know about you?
If you need any vinyl graphics, team awards, and, pretty much
anything else, contact me! Alex@TwoPencilDesigns.com I love to get creative and build things!
anything else, contact me! Alex@TwoPencilDesigns.com I love to get creative and build things!
I have been doing FRC since 2003 and was a student from 03-05.
From 2006 to present day, I have been in the following roles: lead mechanical mentor,
coach, Lead FLL mentor, a volunteer at many regional and championships, an off-season
competition committee member, and business owner.
From 2006 to present day, I have been in the following roles: lead mechanical mentor,
coach, Lead FLL mentor, a volunteer at many regional and championships, an off-season
competition committee member, and business owner.
“There’s only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything. I do, and I demand that my players do.” – Vince Lombardi
