Here’s to a New Chapter
A combined nine years on the team.
We can't help but remember the uncertain beginnings when we first joined. We were greeted by knowledgeable, passionate, and welcoming captains and executive team members who made us feel at home. If you had told our younger selves that one day we would captain a design team at UBC, leading an incredible team to three competitions in a single year, we simply wouldn't have believed it. Throughout the years, we have grown and learned so much, thanks to the guidance and mentorship of those who came before us.
We owe a special debt of gratitude to our past captains: Jack and Jared, who welcomed a first-year member, Hana, to the team; Abbie and Jimmy, who took a chance on a sophmore, Samson, who’s primary interest was building spaghetti bridges; Cindy and Davis, who led the team through challenging pandemic years, making virtual meetings feel like a true team experience, despite most of us not having met in person.
Not only have we personally evolved from those early days of limited knowledge in bridge design and fabrication, but we have witnessed the team's growth as well. We have gone from being unable to compete in the SSBC competitions to reaching the National Finals two years in a row. We have seen enthusiastic freshmen, whom we welcomed to the team, take on leadership roles, similar to our own journey. We have witnessed the beginning of a strong sense of community within the team, with more social gatherings and tutorial sessions. For those who have stuck around, UBC Steel Bridge is not just an extracurricular activity for resume-building; it has fostered meaningful and lasting friendships. Looking at the team now, it has changed significantly since we first joined, and we couldn't be happier to see how far it has come.
UBC Steel Bridge has played a significant role in our university careers. We have made connections with amazing individuals who share our passion for the team, many of whom have become lasting friends. To our team members, faculty advisors, and sponsors, we express our deepest gratitude from the bottom of our hearts. Balancing this competition alongside our academic and work obligations has been challenging, and we sincerely thank you for dedicating your time and helping the team thrive. We especially want to thank our faculty advisors and sponsors for their continuous support and patience in guiding us through the industry's intricacies. We would also like to extend our appreciation to our friends and family who have supported us over the past four/five years. Thank you for understanding our late-night meetings, our presence on campus while constructing the bridge, and for your unwavering support (apologies for any car damage!).
As our time on the team draws to a close, we won't deny that it will feel strange not constantly thinking about the team after a year of continual worry. However, we have full confidence in the promising future of UBC Steel Bridge. The team succeeding us is filled with passionate individuals. There will undoubtedly be new challenges and hurdles along the way, and the journey won't be easy, but we trust that you will take care of yourselves and reach out for help when needed. Although no longer members, we will continue to support the team, and we know there are others who will be there to help as well. Balancing school, work, and personal time can be demanding, but give it your best, and that's all anyone can ask for. We hope that in another year, you can look back with pride at what you have accomplished (y’all got this <3). Thank you all for an incredible last year on the team!
Samson and Hana, Proud UBC Steel Bridge Alumni and 2022-23 Co-Captains of UBC Steel Bridge
