“The Woodie Flowers Award recognizes mentors within the FIRST Robotics Competition who lead, inspire, and empower using excellent communication skills. Dr. Murphy wanted to bring attention to the eloquent and effective communication skills of Dr. Woodie Flowers, so this award was created. The Woodie Flowers Finalist Award (WFFA) is presented to one adult mentor at each Regional Competition. The Woodie Flowers Award (WFA) is presented to one WFFA winner at Championship. ​​ Each year, students may submit an essay nominating one mentor from their team to be considered for this award. FIRST will recognize one adult mentor at each regional to receive the WFFA. If a team already has a mentor who has won the WFFA in a prior year, then that team may re-submit that mentor in the current year in addition to nominating a mentor for the WFFA if they wish. The current year WFFA winners, along with those mentors who won a WFFA in a prior year, and have been re-nominated, will be judged to receive the WFA at the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship.” (Credit: WoodieFlowers.org)