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Here are just a few stories of some of our more senior members. This year though there will be quite a few of our senior members graduation, we have also been fortunate to recruit some great new talent.
 ALEX CAPPIELLO
Alex, a senior at Brookfield High School, joined the team in his freshman year. Alex enjoys having the opportunity to build things that he wouldn't otherwise be able to do. Last year Alex was involved in learning the new controller system. The system was larger and heavier and the space for it on the robot was smaller than in previous years, so it was been a challenge to work out fitting and operating it in within those confines. Alex has also been involved in many aspects of building the robot. He is also involved in the high school drama club, and is working towards becoming an Eagle Scout, and thinks he might be interested in pursuing a career in engineering. Alex's father Tony, also an engineer also volunteers a lot of his time to help build the robot.
ANTHONY CONTARINO
Team Captain, and senior at BHS, Anthony joined robotics in his freshman year. Anthony has always been fascinated with all types of technology. In 2008 his mother answered an online survey forwarded by team advisor, Sue Troupe. By doing so, Anthony and his sister won an opportunity to be in a commercial promoting the new Science Museum being built in Hartford, CT. They went to Hartford for the filming and were being interviewed on camera about their interest in science, and how they have applied that interest to their lives. Anthony took the opportunity to talk about FIRST, and he even brought along a robotics arm from the VEX robot to show one of the projects he worked on that fall as part of Team 1099. Anthony is very involved in building the robot, and has also done a lot of filming, putting together several entertaining videos for the team that he shows at the end of the season allowing us all to look back and remember all the hard work, and great fun we had throughout the year.
 CHRIS JOHNSON
Christopher Johnson was a seventh grade student at Whisconier Middle School in Brookfield when he became the first middle-schooler to join the team. Chris has loved robots from an early age. “He wanted to get involved in robotics in the worst way. He learned that there was a Lego Robotic based program for 5th and 6th graders offered through the Brookfield Park and Rec, but he wanted more,” stated his mother, Louise Johnson.
Chris and his mother contacted his Guidance Counselor and asked if he knew of anything else for Chris. His guidance counselor recommended that he contact Ms. Troupe, who is the Director of FIRST Robotics Team 1099. They contacted her and she invited them to come and visit the team. From then on, Chris became a member of the team and participated in all the activities. He found out that he likes learning about animation and brainstorming ideas about the robot design. Ben Luce spent some after school time teaching Chris the basics of 3DS Max and Chris, now a senior, has won the animation awardat the Boston Regionals for the last two years. Chris continues to teach himself more as he works on his second animation for submission at this year's competition.
 TOM & ANDREW REISKE
Thomas and Andrew Resike joined the team in their freshman year. Both of them have always loved robots, and really enjoy the process of building and competing with one. They have been involved in all aspects of building, spending almost every night here during the build season along with their dad, Ron, who is an electrical engineer at Sperry Rail Service. Thomas and Andrew both also enjoy the social aspect of being part of the team. They are both now seniors at BHS, and Thomas' plans to become a Marine Biologist, while Andrew wants to go into Veterinary Medicine and is currently employed at the Brookfield Animal Hospital. Tom and Andrew spend a lot of hours helping with whatever is needed and have been an indispensable part of our team.
 ANNIE SMITH
Annie, now also a senior, joined us as a sophomore. Her enthusiastic personality adds a lot of spirit to our team during competitions. Annie helps out with all types of non-engineering projects, and enjoys being a part of the team that is full of so many creative and interesting people. Annie takes voice and dance lessons, and has a lead role in the school musical. She plans to pursue a career as an English and Theatre teacher, and also wants to be a writer.
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