North Bay District Event FIRST Leadership Award Semi-Finalist (Ryan Zhang)

Bubbles team captain Ryan Zhang was recognized as a District Championship FIRST Leadership Award Semi-Finalist at the 2026 ONT District North Bay Event.

Ryan’s leadership has played a defining role in the growth of FRC Team 10015 Bubbles. As the captain of a young community-based team, he helped guide Bubbles through an extraordinary rookie season, leading the team all the way to the FIRST Championship and earning the World Rookie All-Star Award, a rare achievement that made Bubbles only the second Canadian team in history to receive this honour.

What makes Ryan’s leadership especially meaningful is the philosophy he helped establish within the team: student work, 100%. From design, manufacturing, building, coding, testing, strategy, documentation, and outreach, Ryan has encouraged students to take ownership of every part of the process. Under his leadership, team members have grown not only as builders and programmers, but also as confident problem-solvers, communicators, and young engineers.

Ryan has also helped sustain and strengthen the team beyond the robot. He has supported fundraising efforts, represented Bubbles at many outreach events, and served as one of only 20 members of the FIRST Canada Youth Council. Through these roles, he has continued to share the values of FIRST with the broader STEM community.

As both a technical leader and a role model, Ryan has inspired students, teammates, and even mentors through his dedication, humility, and example. His ability to lead with both skill and heart makes this recognition truly well deserved.

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