LIBERTY — A Girard High School robotics coach was honored Saturday evening with a drive-by surprise to celebrate an award he received at the FIRST Robotics Buckeye Regional Competition.

“This is a very prestigious award,” said Judy Barber O’Brien, who won this award in 2017 and organized the car parade. “Usually there’s a live awards ceremony in front of 8,000 people. It’s an emotional time.

“This year, we missed out on it. When I won, we had a party afterwards with the team, alumni and we can’t really do that, so this is the next best thing.”

Although the actual competition at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, FIRST Robotics held a virtual awards ceremony last week to award honors that were based on previously submitted essays, videos and awards that could be determined through virtual interviews.

RoboCats head build coach Ashraf Hadi received the Woodie Flowers Award, which celebrates effective communication by a coach or mentor in the art and science of engineering and design. It recognizes an individual who has done an outstanding job of motivation through communication while also challenging the students to be clear and succinct in their communications.

Hadi was taken by surprise as he watched at least two dozen cars honk and shout as they drove past his house with balloons and signs.

“This is very nice. I’m overwhelmed,” said Hadi, who has been the head build coach at Girard for 15 years. “I didn’t do it for the award.”

As a regional award winner, Hadi is eligible for the World Championship Woodie Flowers Award, which also will be held virtually.

Two aspects of the award are important: the accomplishments in communication by the mentor and the students’ ability to communicate clearly and concisely through their nomination, as the nomination essay is written by team members.

A specific judging criterion is based upon the team’s description of how the mentor inspired each member of the team in some or all the following ways:

• Level of student participation;

• Creativity of effort;

• Clear explanation of mathematical, scientific and engineering concepts;

• Demonstration of enthusiasm for science and engineering;

• Encouragement to work on projects as a team effort;

• Inspiration to use problem-solving skills;

• Inspiration to become an effective communicator;

• Motivation through communication.

Among approximately 60 mentors nominated for the award, judges determined Hadi best excels as an inspiration to The RoboCats, Girard’s FIRST Robotics team.

“I am very proud of him. It’s well deserved,” Hadi’s wife, Ronia, said. “He’s spent countless hours; he loves it. He’s very passionate.”

bshiller@tribtoday.com