2020 awards Finale & Closing Thanks

[Jordan aka FltAdmlWolf]

Valued members of our community,

I hope you've enjoyed reading through this year's awards ceremony. I know it's a lot of text, a lot of recognition, just a lot to read overall! But, in particular, I hope what you take away from this ceremony is the full feeling of gratitude and appreciation that pours out from what we're doing. 

I'd imagine it's hard to understand, before you reach the command levels of our community, just how much work is going on behind the scenes to pull off everything we do. But let me pull back the curtain and point out just how much this exercise is choreographed: 

Our process begins in April by reviewing the past year's ceremony, the suggestions we got from the community, and the list of awards to decide if we need to retire or add any. The Captains Council discusses these things at length – considering what's working and what's not – before we have to refresh the nominations form, check all of our award pages, begin preparing our news posts and fleetwide emails, and then launch the process. 

From there it's a sprint to the end of the nominations process, pushing everyone in the fleet to participate – uncovering memories from weeks and months ago of ways that people impressed us, reviewing each of our peers and trying to understand the impact they've made on our community. All the while, our staff is ensuring that every angle is covered in nominations and that each person who has earned an award gets nominated. 

Things really get hectic once nominations close as our Awards Facilitator – Jo Marshall, this year – picks an Awards Committee and starts collating the nominations. There are at least 100 tasks that must be done in a line before we actually get to the ceremony, involving every member of the command staff, with some folks being buried in the work, like Kirk opening an overhead compartment to reveal thousands of tribbles. 

At the end of the day, we are all exhausted, but filled with gratitude for the opportunity to make entirely clear how much we appreciate everyone's contributions. Although we go to great lengths throughout the year to try and help each of you understand how much we value the time and effort you expend to write the perfect sims, we also know the magic of coming together for this recognition – to write down in the annals of our history that "this person was amazing, and we want to thank them for that." 

It's no trivial effort – as much as we want you to think that it is! – and I hope that those of you who earned awards can take some time to look back over the history of the award you won, maybe read some of the presentation from those past ceremonies, and know that someday someone else will be doing the same with your name. Welcome to the Hall of Honor, you've earned it. 

Before we close, I'd like to mention some commendations and "credits" where they're due: 

• First and foremost, to Jo Marshall, who stage managed this process – collating, coordinating, logisticating, pontificating, and memeing every step. She brought a whole new character to the role and upped the ante for all those who come after her. I have deep empathy for the person in this position, and even deeper thanks for all of the hard work put in to make sure that every detail is perfect and correct. Thank you, Jo Marshall, for everything you've done to make this "show" go off without a hitch! 
• To our Awards Committee, that read through 22 awards worth of nominations and carefully voted to award the Duty Post and Special awards. You've done a great service puting in this time and consideration, and helping our community come to the best decision. 
• To our Deputy Awards Facilitators, who helped Jo Marshall with the incredible lift of bringing this ceremony to fruition, making sure that all the nominations were properly collated and checked against our rules, and that everything was where it needed to be!
• To our Commanding Officers, who have been tireless and extremely gracious throughout the whole thing. Your efforts are priceless in how much care and time you've put in. Thank you for everything you've done here, and everything you do to maintain this thing we've all built. This is an amazing thing we have and I hope you know how rare and precious it is to have a "round table" like we're experiencing right now. 
• To our First Officers, who judged the Staff Awards and every other day of the year help make what we do possible. Thank you for being our cheerleaders, our assistants, our defenses, our collators, and our partners in this. I look forward to the day when you sit in the captain's chair and look in gratitude at the person in your seat. 
• And finally, my last thanks is to you, dear members! You make it all worthwhile. The joy you bring, and the joy you experience fuels every moment of this. I look forward to many more years in service to this community. 

Until next year… 🖖

- Jordan, FltAdml. Tristan Wolf

[Randal Shayne]

I wanted to say so much throughout this, but I kept getting behind with all the other festivities. Now that it’s ended, I can put out what I wanted to say since the beginning.

@Kali Nicholotti: You are wonderful. You have been a cornerstone of this fleet for longer than I’ve been a member, and I have enjoyed the privilege of watching you, and learning from the best. Earning TOSMA has been a long time coming, and your abilities when it comes to writing the tricky post of Intelligence is something we can all appreciate. You rock, and I am so glad you are here with us. 

@Artinus Serinus: Joseph, you are a fighter. I’ve come to respect and appreciate you and your determination, your spirit and your writing acumen. The Genesis Award, in this case especially, and the Laudian Commendation, reflect your admirable rise, and it is just a harbinger of what I know you’re capable of. Congratulations to you on these well-earned designations.

@Noa T'Nessa Levinson: This community thrives on the life and excitement of its members, and you have added to that excitement tenfold. We are fortunate to have you, and the Juneau is fortunate to call you one of their own. You have impressed me with both your writing skill and your dedication to your shipmates. I see great things for you in this fleet, and I am most proud of you. Keep being excellent. 

@Jo Marshall: I could point to any one of your remarkable acts of service to this fleet, and call it a fine basis on which to thank you, but that just doesn’t do it justice. It seems you have a hand in everything in this fleet, from your ship to these awards ceremonies, and I am so thankful for your selfless dedication and kind spirit that benefits the experience of every person in this fine fleet of ours. I am honored to know you. 

@Quentin Collins III: Justin, what can I say? You’ve been essential to the Juneau, and I don’t know where I’d be without you on the Arrow. You have my first week in command joyful, just as you’ve brought esprit de corps to every endeavor you’ve embarked upon. Your enthusiasm breathes life into difficult tasks or unpleasant moments, and reminds me why what we have here is special. I am beyond pleased to have you as my XO, and I know that, so long as I find a sim in my inbox from you, the day is worth waking up for. 

@Melody Delri'ise: You have brought to life your character with a subtlety and grace that are remarkable to behold. I will miss the IC spats we had, and I will look on with great anticipation to see what you achieve in these coming months. You are an exceptional writer, and I would jump at the chance to sim with you again. Take care, and congratulations on your well-earned awards! 

@Chloe Waters Jesse, you beat the odds every day, and you are an inspiration for myself and others. Your drive has overcome challenges that would likely conquer me, and your nuanced sims, are more often than not, fascinating dives into exceptional studies of character. I look forward to writing with you more on the Arrow. Well done indeed. 

@Anath G'Renn: I remember our joint posts, written long ago, that engaged me like little else at those distracting times. I am grateful to you for your tenacity and your writing expertise, and I am delighted to see you recognized for your skills and your capabilities as a simmer. Well earned! 

@Jalana: Massive congratulations on your promotion to commodore, and most sincere thanks for your long history of dedication to your ship and fleet. I am grateful for your advice, your guidance, and your openness. I know I can count on you in moments of doubt or hesitation, and we are lucky to count you among us. 

@Quinn Reynolds: It is to my sincere regret that we have never simmed together, but despite this, your council has helped me to improve my own simming and leadership skills. Their true test is upcoming, but I feel better prepared than before, and supported to a point I could not have dared to hope for. Thank you for your devotion, and congratulations on being the first recipient of the Elinor of Kanist! 

@Geoffrey Teller: In times of fear or change, you have proven yourself to be an officer that any commander would be fortunate to have. In times of peace and stability, you are an officer that excels beyond the sum of what you are given, and reaches new heights. Your writing is top-notch, your rise is meteoric, and your spirit is indomitable. You are a leader in every sense of the word, and you are a credit to the uniform and the fleet. Congratulations!

Oh, and next time, I am going to crush you 1V1. 😜

@Roshanara Rahman: Whether it be with the FNS, or with bumbling, neurotic first officers making their way to the captaincy, I have come to know you as a wealth of fine advice, and dedicated spirit. Thank you for your support. Congratulations on receiving the Honor of the Admiralty! 

@Oddas Aria: Thank you for all the good times. Thank you for your support. Thank you for helping me get off to a fine start on my own ship. The list of what I owe you thanks for is longer than my arm, but know that your guidance and fine tutelage are appreciated and counted on each day. Congratulations on earning the Staff Member of the Year award and the Christopher Pike Pendant- they are well-deserved. 

@Sal Taybrim. I don’t believe we’ve written together once, but you have made me a better officer through your example. I look forward to working with you in whatever form that may take, and congratulations on your Sarek Star! 

@Jarred Thoran: The fact is this, my friend; you have rewritten the rules on what it means to be a commanding officer and a leader. The simple truth is that I would not be the man I am without your friendship, advice, council and support. You have guided me through rough times, accepted me at my worst and encouraged me at my best. I know I am not alone in that. You have more than earned your place among the fleet’s all time greats, and each commanding officer, in the future, right now, and dare I say the past, would be wise to follow your wisdom and example. I cannot tell the future, but I can say this: thank you. Thank you for your unremitting service, your dedication, and your friendship. I am better because of you, I am strengthened because of you. Whatever comes, you are amazing, and I appreciate you more than words can express. Congratulations on earning the James T. Kirk Cross handily- you are an inspiration. 

Congratulations to all the recipients of this year's awards, and here's to another phenomenal year of simming. 

[Sal Taybrim]

I would like to thank @FltAdml. Wolf for going above and beyond this awards ceremony.  So much hard work was done behind the scene and if anyone deserves a drink and a vacation it's this guy right here!  Thank you so much for your hard work!

Thank you @Jo Marshall for all the hard work you did in getting this awards ceremony together as well as massive amount of back scenes management to get all those votes tallied and all those nominations sorted.  You did a great job, thank you!

Thank you to every player in this game.  Remember simming is collaboration, and we gain more by writing with others and letting others help us write.  Keep dreaming, keep writing beautiful stories and keep supporting one another!

Oh and...

@Randal Shayne - thank you for the wonderful and heartfelt thanks ❤️  However we have written together - for quite some time - on the Eagle.  I have two characters, remember? 

I look forward to seeing everyone back for Awards 2021!!

[Toryn Raga]

Congratulations again to everyone who was awarded this year. Deepest thanks to those who facilitated, coordinated and made this ceremony possible. 

For those who didn't win an award, this wasn't a loss. There's an entire fleet of incredibly talented people that comprise this wonderful community. See it, as I do, as a challenge to yourselves to keep writing great stories. To keep leaning on each other for inspiration, guidance, or even, when the time comes, a shoulder or ear to listen to the reasons why your motivation is sapped or waning. We are Starbase 118. @FltAdml. Wolf Created and continues to keep this community thriving, the heart and soul, but each and every one of us are apart of this great community. 

This is perhaps my favorite time of year, because I get to recognize those I write alongside and see the recognition and praise from all across the fleet. I look forward to seeing more new names in the awards next year! 

 

[Randal Shayne]

@Sal Taybrim I am- and this is true- an absolute cretin. Please accept my apologies. I completely forgot that you were the mind and writer behind Cade Foster. I look forward to writing with you again, either with Cade or Taybrim. And this time, I'll try not to be such a fully-rigged, rate A-1, ocean going pillock. 

[Rahman and Rivi Vataix]

Like Shayne, I wanted to also give a shoutout to several folks who are so deserving of the awards they've received this year!

First big kudos to the amazing and future Galactic Empress @Jo Marshall. May she find me useful during her reign. But seriously, lady, you rock! Besides organizing this year's ceremony and making sure everything got done, you've brought that same leadership to the FNS and I have no doubt as well to your ship. I'm glad we got to sim together over this recent mission, and I hope we have more opportunities in the future!

@Wil Ukinix, you've become such an amazing writer and player on Veritas, and especially this year, with the personnel changes we've had, you have stepped up to keep our ship vibrant. I cannot wait to see what's in store for you. Congratulations on all your achievements!

@German Galven, I am so glad to see how well you are doing on Ops, serving Jamie as a vital member of her staff. Thank you for everything you do for the fleet, from the news articles to representing 118 at events beyond like Project Khitomer.

@Lazarus Davis, it's been a pleasure listening to you on the podcast and getting a chance to speak with you for a segment. Earning the TOSMA on your ship is a momentous event, and I look forward to one day simming with you.

@Addison MacKenzie, I'm so proud of what you have accomplished over this past year. Congratulations on both the TOSMA for Thor and the fleetwide duty post award for medical. That's truly a remarkable recognition from our community, and I know whether you wish to continue as a chief medical officer for a few more years or have your sights set on the red collar, nothing will stop you from achieving your goals! Thank you for everything you do for your shipmates and our fleet.

@Sophie290999, it's so wonderful to see you thrive and how much you've grown as a player. You've made a lasting impression and fun, distinguished contributions to Veritas, whether it be BAXTER or just Charlena's overall awesomeness. I can't wait to see what adventures are in store for you next!

@Randal Shayne, congrats on all the accolades and now your new ship! Cherish this moment; it's just the start of a wonderful (and yes challenging) journey ahead, but I know you will steer your crew well with the same dedication that you commit yourself in everything you do.

@Ceciri Ariadust, after working with you for so long before in other parts of the fleet, I've been so glad to sim with you since you came to Veritas. I hope you have been enjoying your time in the fleet as well since your return.

@Jalana, congrats, Commodore, again, and for everything else you do in the fleet, thank you. I can't imagine 118 without you, and it's safe to say it literally wouldn't *look* quite the same without your hard work.

@Geoffrey Teller, I'm glad to see you get the recognition now from the fleet that I saw myself first as your CO. You've done a "good job" indeed, and as I've told you before, I'm so proud now that you are serving as an inspiration, mentor, and role model for the players that have since joined us and are under your care.

@FltAdml. Wolf, you are truly deserving of the descriptor "champion" for all you do for this community. Though your title may be founder or fleet admiral, you really are more like the mayor or community manager of a small city. Someday, we need to do an article that covers really *everything* you do to keep this place running. Know that you have the gratitude always of over a hundred members and the countless more before and after for giving us all a second home on the web.

@Quinn Reynolds, congratulations on our fleet's highest honor! There are so many things you do for our community beyond just the obvious roles you play as a CO and academy commandant. You bring a perceptive eye on our governing councils while continuing to set the standard for writing and creativity when it comes to your own characters and stories. Working on the EC and elsewhere isn't just a responsibility but a joy thanks to your presence and support.

@Oddas Aria, congrats again on everything this year. From Capstone to CAL, you've earned it, and I'm excited to see what other innovations you continue to bring to our group! I still can't believe you were a cadet in my class, but it just reminds me that every cadet has the potential to become the next outstanding leader.

@Sal Taybrim, we might not have simmed together yet, but I feel a connection to you through your former CO/command mentor. Maybe you feel it, too? Anyway, you've always brought an insightful perspective to how we can improve our fleet and what's important in a game versus just fan fiction writing. I can't think of a better person to lead our namesake installation.

Congratulations to everyone! The best part of the awards for me is getting to read all the nominations and to see how much of an impact each recipient has had on their crew and other players across the fleet.

[Kirsty L. Carpenter]

So WOW. First off, I would like to just say as a “new kid” here, I cannot tell you enough how much discovering this group has meant to me, both personally and professionally. when I found y’all I was very much wondering if writing was really worth the effort and strongly considering packing it all in just for my own sake. 
 

but then I found this place and the richness of the community as well as the instantly warm and inclusive group dynamic here just gave me an entirely new perspective on myself as a creative. It is TRULY an honor to get to create with you all here and I count myself very, very lucky that I have a place where I can write JUST for me, alongside some of the kindest and most compelling creatives I’ve ever had the privilege to share a “stage” with. 

 

@Oddas Aria, I’m sorry to embarrass you by extolling your virtues publicly (as we all know public speaking it up there with the freaking Gom Jabbar for the good Captain), but I have to do it NOW before you get to a rank where you can throw me a box forever. I couldn’t have asked for a better first Captain. You were always there for me as a PC and were a tremendous editor and co-writer for the arcs I wanted to offer the crew and got me thinking about format and form better than ANY teacher I’ve ever had. I’m so sorry I was annoying but I’m very glad to have served under you. It absolutely made me a better officer. 
 

@Randal Shayne, yet another person who would gladly deflect literally everything I am about to type, but it wouldn’t make it any less true. He was another who just always listened, always CARED to listen, and always offered precisely the right advice that you needed in the moment you needed it. And just a total force of love for Star Trek and all the nerdy junk we get up to here. I couldn’t have asked for a better XO for my first posting and I couldn’t have expected to find a better friend here than you, brother. I apologize in advance for all the stupid mission pitches I’m about to send you. 

To everyone else @Sal Taybrim @Chloe Waters @Melody Delri'ise @Artinus Serinus @Maxwell Traenor @Noa T'Nessa Levinson thank you ALL FROM the BOTTOM OF MY BLACK HEART for being such amazing scene partners and such wonderful writers in your own right that make me want to improve for YOU. To impress YOU. 
 

you have all made me such a better fan and writer and creative. I have seemed to run out of words to properly articulate my feelings. I just thank you all so very much. For being here when I truly needed you.