Kori Bowns

Kori Bowns was on the NeoBots for 2 years (2010 season and 2011 season), and during the 2011 season she was the president of the NeoBots. She is now a physics major at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

 

She helps coordinate FIRST® events in Chicago by communicating with teams, securing venues, building practice fields, purchasing t-shirts, and managing volunteers. Additionally, she volunteers at every FIRST® event in her area and has been a volunteer at the FIRST® Championship in St. Louis.

 

At her college, she is a member and the secretary of Illinois Tech Robotics. In the future, she plans to pursue a career in a STEM-related field and the become a high school teacher. Kori says, “I never want to stop volunteering or making friends in FIRST®. I have the amazing opportunity to have a huge part in hosting and planning events in Chicago, and it’s been a great experience thus far.”

 

She also states that her involvement in FIRST® helped greatly in getting her into college and making friends there. “Robotics has enabled me to meet people from all over the world and get to know people from my hometown better. Through build season, you really get to truly know the people you work with, and if those friends can deal with you through those 6 weeks, they can last for life.”

 

To current robotics members, Kori says, “don't be afraid to ask questions or look silly. Everyone messes up. I ran a team and still can't build anything. Also, don't be afraid to meet new people. Knowing teams comes in handy, and being a FIRST® alum in the future is a great way to make amazing fellow FIRSTie friends."