Meet the team
Programming
Miles Gordon
Miles Gordon is the Captain of Gears of Fire and the lead programmer. Miles is currently a Junior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Palm Harbor University High School. Miles is competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge for his second year.
Bianca Gittinger- Linzer
Bianca Gittinger-Linzer is a programmer for Gears of Fire. Bianca is also a part of the computer aided design sub-team. Bianca is currently a Freshman in the International Bachelorette Program. This is Bianca's first year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Thomas Speer
Thomas Speer is a programmer for Gears of Fire. Thomas is currently a Sophomore in the University Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Thomas's first year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge
"Most good programmers do programming not because they expect to get paid or get adulation by the public, but because it is fun to program."
-Linus Torvalds
Engineering
Marcin Plaza
Marcin Plaza is the head engineer for Gears of Fire. Marcin is also a part of the computer aided design sub-team and drive sub-team. Marcin is currently a Freshman in the International Bachelorette Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Marcin's first year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Johan Alex
Johan Alex is an engineer for Gears of Fire. Johan is also the human player for 516, a part of the drive sub-team. Johan is currently a Freshman in the Medical Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Johan's first year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Ken Quach
Ken Quach is an engineer for Gears of Fire. Ken is also a part of the computer aided design sub-team. Ken is currently a Freshman in the International Bachelorette Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Ken's first year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Aaron Redway
Aaron Redway is an engineer for Gears of Fire. Aaron is also a part of the computer aided design sub-team. Aaron is currently a Sophomore in the International Bachelorette Program. at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Aaron's first year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Szymon Sierzega
Szymon Sierzega is an engineer for Gears of Fire. Szymon is also a part of the computer aided design sub-team. Szymon is currently a Freshman in the International Bachelorette Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Szymon's first year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Dawson Whitman
Dawson Whitman is an engineer for Gears of Fire. Dawson is also a part of the computer aided design sub-team. Dawson is currently a Sophomore in the University Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Dawson's first year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
"Problem-solving is essential to engineering. Engineers are constantly on the lookout for a better way to do things."
-Dinesh Paliwal
Notebook
Kenna Bonde
Kenna Bonde is co-head of the notebook sub-team for Gears of Fire. Kenna is currently a Junior in the International Bachelorette Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Kenna's second year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Raymond Zhang
Raymond Zhang is co-head of the notebook sub-team for Gears of Fire. Raymond is also a part of the drive sub-team. Raymond is currently a Junior in the International Bachelorette Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Raymond's second year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Cyrus Almestica
Cyrus Almestica is a member of the notebook sub-team for Gears of Fire. Cyrus is also a part of the computer aided design sub-team. Cyrus is currently a Junior in the Dual Enrollment Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Cyrus's first year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Michael Miarecki
Michael Miarecki is a member of the notebook sub-team for Gears of Fire. Michael is also a part of the computer aided design sub-team. Michael is currently a Junior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Michael's second year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Marta Syzmanska
Marta Szymanska is a member of the notebook sub-team for Gears of Fire. Marta is also a part of the fundraising committee. Marta is currently a Freshman in the International Baccalaureate Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Marta's first year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
Adela Wiercioch
Adela Wiercioch is a member of the notebook sub-team for Gears of Fire. Adela is currently a Freshman in the International Baccalaureate Program at Palm Harbor University High School. This is Adela's first year competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge.
"Make an empty space in any corner of your mind, and creativity will instantly fill it."
-Dee Hock