The Oyster River Cooperative School District (ORCSD) is proud to announce that Oyster River High School (ORHS) Team Overdrive #8410 mentor Dan Couture has been selected as the 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipient. This annual award honors an Oyster River community member whose exceptional volunteer service has made a lasting impact on the school community.

Dan has been a dedicated team leader for Team Overdrive #8410 for five seasons, stepping into the role of lead mentor two years ago and continuing to elevate the team’s success. FIRST Robotics is an international program that combines engineering, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving. Under Couture’s and the leadership team’s guidance, students design, build, and program robots under real engineering constraints.

As a mentor, Dan does far more than teach technical skills; he helps students grow as thinkers, collaborators, and problem solvers. He models resilience and “gracious professionalism” supporting students as they brainstorm ideas, test prototypes, work through setbacks, and celebrate breakthroughs. His leadership creates an environment where every student feels valued, capable, and inspired to push beyond what they thought possible.

“Dan is dedicated to supporting students in the robotics program,” said Principal Noe. “The time, effort, and positive energy he puts into the program are inspiring. He has created an atmosphere of fun, a culture of learning and high expectations, and pushes students to achieve more than they ever thought they could. We truly appreciate everything he does for students, the program, and the school.”

Families also shared similar praise, calling the robotics program an exceptional learning and leadership development opportunity with outstanding mentors who help every student grow, and is one of the most sophisticated teams a student can be on.

Superintendent Shaps shared:"The teamwork, problem-solving, and engineering mindset cultivated in our robotics programs mirrors the challenges of the world beyond high school, where innovation requires perseverance, collaboration, and creativity. We are incredibly proud of the environment Dan has created; one where students feel inspired to push boundaries, learn from failure, and celebrate discovery together.”

The district is grateful for Dan’s unwavering dedication and the transformative impact he has on students, the robotics program, and the Oyster River community.