Questions and the Knoxville, TN Team....

[Lora Knepper]

Been around an eon or two since I've last been on these forums... and if not the organization as a whole, but at least the membership of Chief Delphi's page has seemed to change and evolve to me. At the very least, those of us using our real names have gone into the minority!!

I'm curious, and I may not get a reply to this post, but tell me... veterans, what keeps you going here, and really, what do you miss in FIRST? For the newer members out there, I'm wondering what brought you here.

I remember back in the 97-98 season getting sucked into FIRST as a freshman...and it wasn't until recently when my life got chaotic at best that I had to step away.

Also, anyone heard anything from the team from Knoxville, Tennessee? My time is rather limited, but if they're looking for some help, I'd love to offer my services...however antiquated they might be at this point ;)

~ lora

[Tom Schindler]

What keeps me going? Well, i have transitioned from the role of a mentee to a mentor, and it is satisfying to see the knowledge i gained from the folks on my old team (177) get passed onto the new students working with our team. FIRST for me has been more than just another club, a trip to disney, or a fun time at a regional. It has given me, and many others a chance to complete something great.

If you just show a normal highschooler a picture of a robot, they would have no idea where to start in building it. FIRST allows them to learn from the people who do.

As for what i miss in FIRST, i miss the smallness of the competition. Although i realize that expansion is necessary, the good old days of the 100 team national competitions are what sucked me into this in the first place.

Good luck in finding a team to help down there, and... c-ya in houston if you go :)

-Tom