Central Illinois Regional – Staff Spotlight

Kiran Loewenstein | Senior | Team: 2826  | Lesbian | 2016 – Present

Why did you join LGBTQ+ of FIRST?

I got involved with LGBTQ+ of FIRST through two of my good friends who were part of the organization. After helping promote Women in STEM, I quickly fell into the rabbit-hole of advocacy, and have enthusiastically supported and helped to shape LGBTQ+ of FIRST’s future since joining.

What are you most looking forward to this competition season?

In my fourth and final year, I can’t wait to operate for my team as well as see where these last six weeks have taken me and my team. Selfishly, I’d also love to be an alliance captain at a (season) competition – I want that armband! It’ll also be great to have another year of trying and hopefully not failing to make my autonomous modes work, and to see the other students take a step up at competition.

What is one cool thing you’ve learned lately?

To fly in the Soyuz (a Russian spacecraft), the Russians pour a plaster mold that is fit exactly to the astronaut’s body and spacesuit, and it’s apparently very uncomfortable.

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