JaneYoung
30-04-2012, 21:10
This was a very special experience for me in many ways. I served as a volunteer in 3 of the programs, FLL, FTC, and FRC and I enjoyed all of them but had the most fun in FTC this year, as a volunteer. It was just simply inspiring and the teams were so helpful and fantastic. I was very proud to be a part of that experience.
The FLL teams amazed me. I spent a lot of my free time wandering around in all of the Pits and I enjoyed learning more about the FLL teams that were competing in STL. I met several International teams that dazzled me with their dedication, their knowledge, and their sense of fun and humor. (We know how easily I am dazzled by humor. :))
I spent a lot of the early mornings before the Pits opened, walking through the FRC Pits. It was during this time that I had some conversations that have given me a lot to think about and to be thankful for. The teams, the mentors, the leaders in the FRC community - all express themselves so well and with such a depth of understanding of what they want to achieve and how they want to help FIRST continue to improve and develop. Very passionate and earnest people - everywhere.
My favorite moment was watching teams write on index cards and attach the cards to a growing 'quilt' of cards. I read some of them and they all made me smile. At the time I was there, several members of SPAM were writing their thoughts and their capes were displayed beautifully. I took a photo and will post it here in CD and share it with all of you. Another special moment was when an entire team waited at the top of an escalator, singing Happy Birthday to someone special who was riding the escalator up to them. In the midst of the hubbub and noise and competitive action, it seemed important for teams to find quiet time together and do quiet things that added to the creative atmosphere, celebrating all of us, together. I have never seen the level of cohesiveness as I did this year at the Championship Event. It made me want to say, thank you, to everyone who contributed to the spirit and community of FIRST. It was a very special time.
Jane
The FLL teams amazed me. I spent a lot of my free time wandering around in all of the Pits and I enjoyed learning more about the FLL teams that were competing in STL. I met several International teams that dazzled me with their dedication, their knowledge, and their sense of fun and humor. (We know how easily I am dazzled by humor. :))
I spent a lot of the early mornings before the Pits opened, walking through the FRC Pits. It was during this time that I had some conversations that have given me a lot to think about and to be thankful for. The teams, the mentors, the leaders in the FRC community - all express themselves so well and with such a depth of understanding of what they want to achieve and how they want to help FIRST continue to improve and develop. Very passionate and earnest people - everywhere.
My favorite moment was watching teams write on index cards and attach the cards to a growing 'quilt' of cards. I read some of them and they all made me smile. At the time I was there, several members of SPAM were writing their thoughts and their capes were displayed beautifully. I took a photo and will post it here in CD and share it with all of you. Another special moment was when an entire team waited at the top of an escalator, singing Happy Birthday to someone special who was riding the escalator up to them. In the midst of the hubbub and noise and competitive action, it seemed important for teams to find quiet time together and do quiet things that added to the creative atmosphere, celebrating all of us, together. I have never seen the level of cohesiveness as I did this year at the Championship Event. It made me want to say, thank you, to everyone who contributed to the spirit and community of FIRST. It was a very special time.
Jane