Mark Herndon is an exemplar nominee due to his role in creating a successful FIRST competition team at Kelton STEAM Academy. Mark has been competing in FIRST competitions for 3 years. His personal interest in robotics, programming and innovation are some contributing factors in what lead to the creation of a FIRST program at Kelton. Mark realizes the value of technology and is wise beyond his years as to the use of technology to better society in the future. He has been the builder, driver, and designer on several teams beginning when he was in the 8th grade. Since 2015 Mark has served in a leadership position on a team and also has served as an adviser for other teams in our school. Mark excels in the programming side and good at problem solving bugs. Because of his interest in Robotics Mark has created two state champion robots and made it to super regionals. With the success of his FIRST teams, Mark has helped inspire a junior program of lego robotics as a preparatory way for younger students to learn about the basics of programming and competition. He spends time mentoring his younger counterparts and helping foster creativity in others. Kelton STEAM Academy is isolated in the Texas Panhandle, and Mark has been one of the leading activists for creating a contest and promoting this team. He has been featured on the regional News Channel 7 (10) to promote the activities that FIRST Robotics has allowed him to participate in. Mark sees the value that FIRST has for him beyond the scope of high school competition. The 21st century skills he has developed via robotics have helped foster an interest in engineering and having inspired him to pursue post-secondary education at Texas Tech with the hopes of becoming employed by NASA. Mark is an innovative student with high aspirations for his future.