Name: Dresdon Acacin

Verd’ika Corps Member: May 7th, 2013

Official Member of MMCC: May 17th, 2014 (4 days after turning 18)

Question 1:

Q: When did you join Verd’ika Corps (VC)? And what age were you?

A: I joined the VC as soon as it went up. I was actually the first person to apply but they wanted confirmation on my age so I ended up being member #3, I believe I was 16 at the time. 

Question 2:

Q: Why did you join VC?

A:I joined the Verd’ika Corps because it was the closest thing I could be to an OM at the time. MMCC still provided a sense of fraternity and belonging but the VC was like a junior role for me it felt like.

Question 3:

Q: Do you think VC shaped you into the mando you are now?  If so, how?

A:I think some of my traits were already present but the VC helped me focus them and gave guidance. Much like starting your first kit if you don’t have a plan and path picked out, you’re sort of chasing your own tail. 

Question 4:

Q: Was there a particular challenge you really enjoyed doing?  One you didn’t like as much?

A: Its been so long I don’t remember many but one I remember was about building a blaster prop for one of the challenges. I don’t remember what I made, I’m pretty sure I sold it after so it must have been decent enough. I was already on my 4th suit by this point so it wasn’t a daunting task. I had some confidence going into it and that helped me because I’ve always had a habit to undersell myself.

Question 5:

Q: When you turned 18-year-old, when did you submit your application to join the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club?

A: We took my app pictures the day before my 18th birthday and I submitted them at midnight. I remember being extremely nervous that I wouldn’t pass my app. The photographer who took my app pictures is one of our foundlings today and has been our photographer at troops going on 12+ years now, as I had been trooping events before I was old enough to be official.

Question 6:

Q: If you could go back in time would there be anything you would have done differently?

A: If I could go back in time I would definitely avoid some people and be a better friend to others, but hey that’s what they call character development. I would put greater effort into my physical health, because a warrior is more than their armour. I would also pull a Back to the Future 2 and use my knowledge of the future to capitalize on lotteries and sports betting and investments but wouldn’t we all.

Question 7:

Q: What is your favorite piece of your mandalorian costume?

A:My favourite piece of my Mandalorian Costume is my beskad. I still have my original beskad that I made way way back in the day when I was I think 14 years old. Ive refinished it 2 dozen times mind you, but its still the same piece of 3/4″ plywood. 

Question 8:

Q: What roles have you served in to help other mandos?

A: I think I have served in a number of helpful roles in the community – such as a vendor (Acacin Armouries) as an example and in more recent years as an ICC Minister. I’m always helping folks with their builds though regardless of what position I hold. Every time I’ve gone to a Star Wars Celebration I have helped people perform major on-site repairs to their kits as well.

Question 9:

Q: If you could give any advice to the foundlings of the future what would it be and why?

A: Being someone that had extremely bad self esteem, from bullying, a bad home life, depression ect… I say this to anyone who is willing to listen.    NEVER stop striving to be your BEST. NEVER become sated on the quest for KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS, 

Your goal should be to constantly work on improving no matter what aspect, every day of your life. This can be health/fitness, mental faculties, or your crafting skills.  You need to have the mindset of a winner in all aspects of life. Winners win, losers lose. Believe that you can do it and you need to want it. Until death, defeat is only in your own mind. Once you and your mind are on the same team you’ll be unstoppable.