FACES OF FIRST IN ALASKA
At FIRST in Alaska, we want to highlight the people who make it possible to run all the amazing events that happen all over the state!
Alyson Cooper
STEM Program Manager - FIRST Program Delivery Partner
Alyson Cooper comes to us as a long-time FIRST robotics volunteer, leaving her role on the Girl Scouts of Alaska staff to run the FIRST program in Alaska while continuing to volunteer for Girl Scouts and coach their two Juneau FIRST LEGO League teams. Alyson graduated from Chugiak High School and earned a BS in Geology and her Navy commission at The University of Texas at Austin, then served on ships in a wide variety of jobs including as Navigator of an ammunition ship during Operation Desert Storm. Eventually Commander Cooper ended up in Juneau doing logistics work and retired here, and after living in all four corners of the U.S., she has no intention of ever leaving Juneau. Besides FIRST robotics and Girl Scouts which she has pulled her (also retired Navy) husband and two UAA-attending daughters fully into as well, Alyson and her husband run a small local business. Alyson plays percussion for the Juneau Symphony, Taku Winds, her church, and anyone nearby when she starts absent-mindedly drumming on available objects. And yes, the rumors are true, she does have a LEGO table suspended from her living room ceiling.
Direct Line: (907) 523 – 2334
Email: acooper@jedc.org
Mitchell Sporing
Youth Robotics/ STEM Coordinator
Mitchell ‘Mitch’ Sporing is the brand new 2024-25 Jesuit Volunteer (JV) working with Alyson and FIRST! He recently graduated from the University of Scranton in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Operations Management. Hailing originally from just outside of Philadelphia Pennsylvania in southern New Jersey, he is going to be spending the upcoming year alongside four other Jesuit Volunteers living and working in Juneau!
In college, he was involved in Campus Ministry, the Center for Service and Social Justice, Student-Faculty Research, as well as lead engineer for a new multi-year grant project involving an interdisciplinary venture between Occupational Therapy Students and Mechanical Engineering Students! This is Mitch’s first time in Juneau, and he is looking forward to the adventure this year of service is bound to bring!
Direct Line: (907) 523 – 2346
Email: msporing@jedc.org
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
Beyond the Program Delivery Partner and Youth Robotics/STEM Coordinator, there are hundreds of people that help run a season!
Each week, FIRST in Alaska wants to highlight a person or team in each of these categories to spotlight and celebrate the many Faces of FIRST in Alaska!
Coach/Mentor Monday
We want to take Mondays to celebrate the amazing coaches and mentors who help run the teams all over the state! These individuals are responsible for ensuring that each and every young boy and girl feels included, has fun, and lived FIRST to the fullest!
FTC Team Tuesday
We want to take Tuesdays to highlight the many FTC teams across the state of Alaska! These young men and women work together to solve complicated engineering problems, all while having fun, and supporting their communities and FIRST LEGO League Teams in their area through mentorship!
Volunteer Wednesdays
We want to take Wednesdays to celebrate the amazing volunteers of FIRST in Alaska! Without Volunteers, the over 20 events put on every season would not be able to happen! They are shining examples of living FIRST!
FLL Team Thursdays
We want to take Thursdays to highlight one FLL team in the state of Alaska! These young boys and girls are oftentimes just getting started in their FIRST experince, their excitement, imagination, and problem solving will leave you in awe!