SXSW 2012

Student
Anderson High School
Allison Rich, Senior at Anderson High School in Austin TX has chosen to pursue a career in engineering after becoming involved in FIRST. Allison started dance at age 8, performed with the Austin Lyric Opera in Turendot and Tosca and was headed for a life in the theatre. At a FIRST competition in 2008 Allison noticed a young women decked out in high heels, flashy costume, standing beside the driver of a robot. Curious, Allison followed the girl and asked her questions. Allison came away annoyed because the girl knew nothing about engineering and was there just to get the team noticed. From that point on, Allison set the goal of being on an all girls FIRST team, so that people would know that girls had brains, could use power tools and build a robot. FRC #2881 the Lady Cans has earned the Rookie Inspiration Award in 2009 and the Judges Award in 2010. Allison is in the top 4% of her class, plays the double bass in the Anderson HS Orchestra, dances 10 hours a week at Dancers Workshop, and is currently working on her Girl Scout Gold Award. Allison could have chosen pursue liberal arts or dance but instead chose engineering.