Here's to FIRST

[Lora Knepper]

I got to thinking today as I was reading my email...it's been nearly seven years since I left FIRST to try to figure out my own path. Seven years...it couldn't possibly have been that long, but it has. This coming season will mark a full decade since I was a nervous freshman rookie on team 69. Wow.

This year, I'll be the rookie again. A new team perhaps, a new city and state for sure. I've been lurking on these forums for the past few weeks wondering where in the heck I belong any more. Things have changed - and have grown to unbelievable proportions since I've been away. It's absolutely incredible! I see a throng of new faces and names, and a few of the old standbys who couldn't leave FIRST if they wanted to :p I finally saw a video of last year's competition, and the level of skill shown by every last team amazed me.

So here's to FIRST...to those who laid the foundations for us all in Manchester, NH...to the thousands of students, teachers, and mentors that are still keeping the program going strong today. You all amaze me. And coming into the 2008 season, I hope to find my niche again among you all.

[synth3tk]

In the words of one of my co-workers: "You don't know me! I don't know you!" Real funny when you hear it in person. Anyway, welcome back to FIRST! I'm glad to see how addicting it is, for a lack of a better word.

[vivek16]

Well... umm... I am just going to say this the best I can

Welcome Back

Also, Here's to the rookies

huzzah, vivek

[Elgin Clock]

...and a few of the old standbys who couldn't leave FIRST if they wanted to :p

Guilty as charged! lol

It's good to see you made your way back Lora.
Always cool to see some old names I recognize from back in the day become active again on these forums!

Good luck in 2008 whatever you decide to do within FIRST! :)

[EddieMcD]

LORA!!!

::big wave hello::

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Has it really been seven years?!? Glad to see you back.

[Andrew Rudolph]

hooray! welcome back!

[Andy Baker]

Yep... welcome back, Lora. It's good to see you here again.

Andy B.

[Nate Smith]

I'm another one making an appearance this year(well, sort of...) after a few years off and two boys running around getting into everything(well, one only crawling, but you get the idea...) Hopefully, my plans for this year will be a precursor to being able to become more involved in the future ("What's in my area? on usfirst.org says there's a team in town here, but I don't really have the time right now to work full time w/a team, too much else going on)

Anyway, good to see you back and it looks like 2008 is the year for those on sabattical to make a return!

[Lora Knepper]

It's great to see so many familiar faces on here as well as those I've never met! Yes...it's really been seven years, and I couldn't believe it myself. Though you'd never know it since my closet is STILL full of team shirts from back in 2000-2001!

Nate! You've got munchkins now? Congrats!

I'm making a major transfer at work that finally shifts on Jan 7th to a more regular M-F deal, so hopefully I'll be able to work with team 31 who's about two blocks from my apartment. It's exciting to say the least, and somewhat terrifying....most everything I'm used to in FIRST has changed! :p