The CocoNuts Robotics Website by Vitas Zukowski is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
~Under Construction~
Team Coach
I have taught at Coconino High School for over 20 years... as they say, time flies when you are having fun! I now teach at Northern Arizona University and helped start a new training program for future science and math teachers, NAU Teach. During my free time I enjoy everything outdoors; especially hunting, fishing, backpacking, river running, and scuba diving. My wife, Denise and I love to travel and visit unique destinations. I have two grown children that are finishing their college careers.
Team Coach
I am one of the crazy coaches for the "CocoNuts". I teach science and engineering at Coconino High School through the Coconino Institute of Technology and enjoy the creativity and challenge that is involved with teaching. I have been teaching for 4 years, and cannot believe how fast time has flown! I sometimes get mistaken for one of the pre-college "CocoNuts" at robotics events, which makes for some hilarious memories! I have exceptionally strange hobbies, including fencing and historical sword play. I know how to describe different fencing techniques in Italian, but do not know how to ask for directions, as I found out on my trip to Italy this summer. I would like be the first person to fence in microgravity. In my spare time, I enjoy doing anything outside including hiking, camping, stargazing, rock climbing, and disappearing for weeks at a time on river trips. I have a goofy sense of humor, and about 101 varieties of laughter. I also have an excessive number of nicknames, including "Spaz." There are too many funny stories to put here that go with that nickname. FIRST is one of the neatest programs I have ever been involved with...
Yay for robots!
Madeline "Maddie" Burris (Senior):
Executive Officer - Building Subteam Co-Head
Deemed the "Mom" figure of the team, I spend a lot of time keeping the boys in line as I am the most prominent female student on the team. I love spending time with the team as it is always full of laughs and is quite the enjoyable fun-filled experience. Growing up as a contractor/ranchers daughter, I played Jenga with cows as a child. Not really, but I did grow up working with power tools and can proudly say that I have in fact experienced a "full day's work." There is more to me than just robotics though. I am proud to say that I spent my middle school years at a NASA Explorer School and am currently part of the CIT program at Coconino High School. I also hold the position of Concert Master in our orchestra. To get my "KIKS", so to speak, I practice martial arts and take pleasure in competing at martial arts tournaments. On the weekends, I like to go for pony rides.
Executive Officer - Public Relations Subteam Head & Webmaster
I am one of the several seniors on the team and I personally enjoy envisioning things. I am fluent in Lithuanian, and have the mind set of both a cynic and idealist (ironic), a work ethic, and a nontraditional scientific creativity. My favorite academic areas are chemistry and government. My hobbies include politics, cooking (or at least attempting to do so), reading, and playing video games. I am the co-president of the CHS National Honor Society, the chair of the Flagstaff Youth Advisory Council, and in addition I am a member of CIT. My experience in robotics has positively and profoundly influenced my life and has influenced me to dual major in chemistry and political science so I can become a member of the "social side of science". I hope to continue to grow, to learn, and to make a difference in my community as one of the CocoNuts.
Executive Officer - Image/Spirit Subteam Head
I am one of the majority of juniors on the team, and a founding member of the CocoNuts Robotics Team. This program has influenced my life in ways that I could never have imagined. The CocoNuts are a hilarious bunch of people; our meetings are never dull. I love the engineering process, and all of its applications in the other aspects of life. The skills of time management, problem solving, and perseverance have all been developed by all of us through the Coconino High School Robotics Team. I cannot thank enough our so much esteemed coaches for all they have contributed and worked to make this team what it is. I am also a cross country runner and play the viola in the high school and community college orchestras, as well as being involved in the life changing experience that is FIRST.
Executive Officer - Programming Subteam Head
As one of the veteran team members, I have seen a lot of action and excitement within the team and at competitions. I am the main programmer on the team, but I am readily available to help out wherever necessary. My hobbies include video games and basketball, and I also ski and swim. Currently I am considering majoring in some type of engineering, but as a junior, I still have about a year to decide. Robotics has changed my life, and even my personality. I have learned a lot about teamwork, patience, time management, and hope to continue participating as a CocoNut for years to come!
Executive Officer - Building Subteam Co-Head
I am a sophomore at Coconino High School. I became interested in the robotics club by a few friends (and ever since I first watched Robot Wars) I have been hooked. I play football for CHS and along with that I made the varsity team this year. I am the driver for the "CocoNuts". Along with that I co-build the robot and design. FIRST has taught me tons of useful information including how to use Solidworks, exactly how to think ideas through, and how to interact with others. Adios!!!!
Building Subteam
I love to build and design things. I have numerous great qualities such as being loyal, smart, having a great imagination, and getting along with most people. Last year I went to Atlanta with the team and it is the farthest I have ever been to the east, along with it being the farthest I have traveled at one time to a place. My hobbies include going out and hanging with my friends, flying RC air plains and helicopters, working on my computer and playing video games.Matthew "Matt" Stevens (Junior):
Spirit/Image Subteam
Hello everybody that may be reading this, I hope that you enjoy the website. But anyway basically I'm mostly the person who does the photography as well as the spirit committee. I enjoy doing anything that is challenging, even if it is almost to impossible. Being in FIRST Robotics has changed me and really showed me many things that have/will help me in my life. I hope to give back to everybody that has helped me and the team for believing in us. Mainly this team is my family that is there for us all, and really wants to make something of the team. Even if the task/quest at hand is difficult, we'll stick together and do our best. This is mainly not a bio but I would like to mainly have this in here because of how much this team means to me. Well I have much to say but little space to type, I suppose this is all I'll say. So if you have any questions or comments you can always ask the webmaster Vitaz.-Annie are you ok? Cookie Monster TEEHEE!!!
Image
Coming Soon!
Building Subteam
Coming Soon!Kidron Gage (Freshman):
Programming Subteam
I am a crazy escapee from the CIT classroom with the mind to match it. I feel inspired to help and I am work oriented. My skill with programming is always improving. I have seen most of the States and have only visited Canada apart from the US. Robotics is the best thing for me since I like to work with big toys. The robot is one of the best things that I really enjoy.
Cason Smithson (Sophomore):
Spirit/Image Subteam
I am a weird, random, and and all around crazy sophomore. This is my first year in robotics and my uniqueness definitely helps me fit in with the wacky world of the CocoNuts. I've never been outside of the U.S., and have only been to two states within them. I love to sing, dance, act, draw, and write. I'm planning to write an absurd amount of books, and I only hope that Sapio can handle my 'amazingness', (more like unpredictable otherworldliness).
Eric Mandia (Freshman):
Building Subteam
Coming soon!
Meghann Boland and Catelyn Cosper
(Both Freshmen):
Spirit/Image Subteam
HI, My name is MEGHA-NA-NA-NA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (AKA the brunette one) My life is consumed by robotics, baton , and school. I am extremely random, crazy, super hyper, and I love hanging out with friends and family.HI, My name is Catelyn. (AKA the blonde one) My life is soo full of robotics, baton, gymnastics, and school, that I literally have no life outside of my activities. Robotics has changed my life so much, and I feel that it will help me greatly in my future.
Sean Handy (Freshman):
Building Subteam
Well this is my first year on this robotics team. I am also in 4-h. Both robotics and 4-h have helped me so much with teaching me.
Image
Coming Soon!
Spirit Subteam
Coming Soon!
Team Mascot
I am the "cool" squirrel and official mascot of the CocoNuts. I have been a member of the science department for longer than most of the team has been alive. In my spare time I enjoy flying from tree to tree, searching for my nuts, "chilling" in the back room, enjoying a tasty salad with my pal Lucky, and being a favorite "come and see this" attraction in the CHS Science Department.Lucky the Iguana:
Team Iguana
I am the cute and cuddly iguana that once lived in Miss Sapio's classroom. I got involved in robotics because... well... the "CocoNuts" pretty much invaded my space. In my spare time I enjoy lettuce, trots around the science department, scaring the classes near by, terrorizing the freshmen, sitting on MY comfy computer chair (and sometimes sharing with Miss Sapio), and giving my two cents during biology class. I am best friends with Rocky the Squirrel.Any comments, suggestions, or concerns about the website?
Then email us!Page last updated 07-04-2010
