Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

I'm technically still a student, so maybe I'm out of line posting here, but as a member of the team leadership the past two years I've really had a change of perspective on how FIRST impacts students. So here's why I plan to continue being a part of FIRST:

This was a Facebook post by a freshman member of our team:

"After the FIRST Robotics Regional Competition in Salt Lake City:

What I learned:

1. Robotics is worth far more than the fees, it is absolutely priceless.
2. There are significantly more girls in FIRST Robotics than I ever thought...
3. #### ######## is an awesome robot driver (and he was already boss anyway).
4. Looney Toons is slightly demented, especially on a bus full of teenagers.
5. Being a mascot is freaking AWESOME!
6. I've learned more in Robotics in less than one year than I have in 2 years of school.
7. ##### ###### is the BEST Safety Captain, even though she can be boss(y) sometimes...
8. ### ###### looks like a samurai with his hair tied back.
9. Our robot wasn't the best?! :)
10. Being on a bus for 7 hours can be REALLY fun with so many awesome people.

Comments:

1. I wouldn't miss next year's regional for ANYTHING!
2. Dean Klein totally deserved the Woodie Flowers award!
3. The DJ at the competition was awesome! Playing stuff like Skrillex, Daft Punk, Numa Numa, etc.
4. Going to the competition was THE MOST FUN I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!
5. EVERYBODY needs to check out robotics next year!
6. I am totally content with where we placed, even though we aren't going to nationals. I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL get there next year.
7. FIRST is the coolest!
8. #### ########, ##### ####, ######### ####, #### ####### + ##### ####### NEED to join Robotics next year."


Seeing new members grow and become excited about FIRST, STEM and teamwork is a truly amazing experience. After winning the RCA last year in Utah, and watching my team rush down to the field, I realized that FIRST wasn't about the robot, engineering, the build season, or even the Chairman's award, but about learning, teamwork, and becoming passionate about a project that you design from the start. I know the effect that mentors have on the students, and if I can be half what any of our mentors have been throughout my four years of FIRST, then I'll be more than satisfied with what I've done to help my future students.

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

Last year, I personally had 225 reasons to continue in FIRST!

This year, I hope to found more 225 reasons including some "very special little reasons" :)

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

You called it, Ken. :)

Jane

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

I'll be honest, it's because I'm selfish.

Seeing the direct impact your time can have on students and the satisfaction of seeing a napkin sketch become a cad model, then into machined parts in less than six weeks is something you really can't get anywhere else.

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

I'm pretty sure I know how you feel. I am not thinking of leaving FIRST, but I have been trying to think of ways that I can keep the team(s) going strong without neglecting my family. My wife and her side of the family have been doing most of the parenting while I am gone most of the time for robotics, and I have a lot of associated guilt.

I love it too much to quit, and I think FIRST can do more for the world than any other extracurricular program.

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

Because FIRST has changed my life already, and I want to find all the ways it will change others'.

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

I just like a good challenge! :D

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

Because even though I'm probably not going to be an engineer I still value what FIRST has taught me: leadership, teamwork, ingenuity, inspiration, dedication, determination, hard work, challenging yourself, and gracious professionalism.

Because without FIRST I wouldn't have met the people I call family.

Because I wouldn't have aything else to do on the weekends.

Because I like seeing my team's ideas come to life.

Because I want to encourage more people to join.

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

Because I want to make sure high school students can continue to get introduced to STEM in a fun and exciting way. Just like I was.

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

I have been involved with FIRST for 17 years, and many of you already know that. I started out at the wee age of 5 and have been heavily involved ever since. My greatest highlight in FIRST thus far is being a mentor. FIRST is about the bonds and relationships that are formed, and when those bonds and relationships become as strong as they are you can achieve greatness.

As a first year mentor, I was a bit lost and it was hard to hand everything over to the students, for I had been used to writing awards and designing the robot with other students as a student for 7 plus years, but I found a way and it was done.

But to answer your question, whole heartedly, I do this, I do FIRST, for the students. Day in and day out I am there for them, in school or out of school 24/7 and they all know that. The one thing that I always tell my kids is that, if they are happy I am happy. Because they are the future, and they are the leaders of our team. Their decisions drive what the team does and it is what they want to do. I am in this to give them something to do in and out of school and provide opportunities to them that they otherwise may not encounter. For a few of my students that I have had, furthering their education was not really something they thought about, but after showing them and inspiring them, it is 100% possible, they look at higher education and create paths for themselves that they may not have deemed possible.

Teaching the students new and innovative things, while guiding them down different and inspirational paths in life is why I do this. I'm not one to "flaunt" in any way shape or form, but I do this to be a role model. Knowing a student changed their "track" for college and where they went because you inspired them to do so, means the world to me. And to hear the students say we can do this and we can do anything we set our minds to, really gets me going and keeps me going, because they never give up.

And last but certainly not least, I do this because this team is my family and they reassure that to me each and everyday.

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

I continue to do FIRST because I see everything that's wrong with the world and wish there was some way I could help make it better. Then I remember there's a place where I can.

To me, FIRST is the reference implementation of life.

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

Because this is the hardest thing I've ever done.

Why do I do it? Why does Rice play Texas? Why does BC play the Red Sox? Not because it is easy, but because it is hard. I have witnessed this program do amazing things. Kids who should not have graduated high school have gone to college on scholarships and become engineers. Kids who have it rough at home or are facing learning challenges find a place to fit in. Kids who need a family and a place to belong find one.

The best victories are the ones you work for. This program has shown me the value of hard work over the course of years. Few other things can do that.

And really, this is the most selfish thing I have ever done.

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

...because when I was a student in FIRST, we all actually watched and listened to Dean's speaches during kickoff, and thought very highly of them. I'm not necessarily saying we don't now, but his words were more powerful the first time I heard them as a 10th grader.

Now, I have basically sidelined the rest of my life to teach in the very school where I was once a student, and I am helping shape this team into what I dreamed it would be over a decade ago. There is never a dull moment.

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

I'm a relatively emotional guy, so while my reaction may be an OVERreaction, I basically got goosebumps and almost got to a tears-of-joy situation while reading many of these posts.

We are all in this for many of the same reasons, and I've known they are all great reasons. I seriously seriously encourage you guys to make sure that you say what you've said here to anyone at any opportune moment you get.

This is fantastic!!!!! Please keep responding, I cannot wait to read more posts.

Re: The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST
 

FIRST has changed my life for the better. I was going to be an art teacher, and it was through being on a FIRST team that I fell in love with engineering, and science, and found what I truly wanted. I continue be involved and mentor because I think that FIRST is an amazing program, and I hope that others will benefit from is as I did! :)