Katelynn Fisher, a junior at Becker High School, was chosen to receive this week’s Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) Most Valuable Teammate Award (MVT), the first time in its history that it has ever been awarded to a Robotics student.

Each week, the MSHSL honors one Minnesota student with the Most Valuable Teammate (MVT) award, which is co-sponsored by Wells Fargo. 

The award is to recognize students who are great teammates. Characteristics that are looked at include being a positive influence on the team, putting the team before self, exemplifying leadership and sportsmanship, and continually being respectful, reliable, and supportive of others.

“We are very proud of Katelynn,” said Robotics Assistant Coach Mark Kolbinger. “And feel honored that the MSHSL selected her as the first ever Robotics student to earn the MVT award.”  

Here’s what her coaches said about her in the nomination, “Katelynn is a shining star because of her reliability and positive influence on all 40 team members. When others are stressed, Katelynn is poised, prepared, and finds a way to get the job done with grace and a smile on her face while refusing to take credit and praising others. She eagerly accepts her role and fills in willingly when someone is absent or there’s work that needs to be completed.”

Fisher has never won anything this big before, and the fact that it’s on a state level makes it even more exciting to her.

“My coach informed me I was the first FRC participant to win the MSHSL MVT Award, which was really cool to hear,” said Fisher. “I was never a very outgoing kid and stuck to myself the majority of the time, but when high school hit, I chose to join 4607 [Robotics].”

Fisher’s role on C.I.S. FRC 4607 is media lead, but she assists the marketing and chairman’s department and others when needed.

“Katelynn exemplifies what this award is all about, and that is putting the team first over individual accolades,” said Kolbinger. “Her impact is felt in many areas of our team and she helps keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. Her positive attitude at all times is a great asset. If Katelynn has a task to do, we never have to worry about it because she gets the job done.”

He stressed the team has been able to strengthen ties with their sponsors and the community in large part due to Fisher’s excellent work on their weekly newsletter, along with the great job she’s been doing resurrecting the team’s Twitter feed.

“Robotics has taught me how to adjust to real-life situations and how to communicate more effectively,” said Fisher. “I love my team and I love to be a part of the environment that the Robotics community has to offer.”

“It really is more than robots.”