Mollie Walsh -
As 2025 comes to a close, Vector Space is reflecting on the seasons that shaped our year and the people who made it meaningful. Every project completed, skill learned, mentoring moment shared, and well-tuned tool relied upon is the result of a community that consistently shows up with curiosity, generosity, and care.
To celebrate, we recently gathered for one of our long-held traditions: the annual Handmade Ornament Exchange. This event gives each maker a moment to share the story behind their work, including their process, challenges, accomplishments, and the reasons they chose a particular project. Year after year, it serves as a reminder of how much growth takes place here, not only in technical skill, but also in confidence, creativity, and a willingness to take on new challenges. Seeing the progress and new heights reached by our members continues to be a highlight of the season.
Our celebrations would not be complete without recognizing the volunteers who generously contributed their time and expertise to Vector Space throughout the year. Their commitment sustains our programs and strengthens the community as a whole.
Our Shop Captains played a critical role in volunteering to mentor members, improve our spaces, and help us provide programming to the public. Sixteen captains each contributed approximately sixteen hours of service over the course of the year.
Volunteers who supported the First Robotics Competition, contributed an extraordinary number of hours. A few standout contributors:
Nick Lonce volunteered 173 hours.
Ancel Carson volunteered 135 hours.
Emily Griffen volunteered 99.5 hours.
In addition, Vector Space member volunteer Randy Sass contributed 48 tracked volunteer hours, offering consistent support where it was needed most. Randy is among several other committed, ready, willing, and enthusiastic members who contribute meaningfully within the broader membership cohort.
As we close out the year, we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who made Vector Space what it is today. This community is built by people who invest their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm, and we look forward to continuing that work together in the year ahead.