Boston Thanks
 

I'd like to thank all the individuals and teams that came together in Boston to help the rookie teams... The list is so long I can't remember everyone. I was assigned to assist the rookies on Thursday and Friday morning and every time one of them needed something, you all came through, whether it was to loan a tool or your expertise! From helping open their crates to making sure they passed inspection, the rookies had a helping hand all weekend. It was amazing to watch and is my favorite part of the competition. I made sure to point it out to the VIPs I was escorting on Friday and Saturday. THIS is what FIRST is all about! :D

Re: Boston Thanks
 

I second that!
And thanks to Wayne for paying attention to the details as volunteer coordinator, and to all the great volunteers.
During one of the breaks during the finals, one of the judges was expressing amazement re: the dancing skills of the field crew. She said "They must have been practicing for days!" And I said "Actually, make that years..." and then went on to explain who all these volunteers were.

Re: Boston Thanks
 

Thank you to everyone who made this regional possible!!! Boston is always a great event and I know 1403 had an amazing time there. Thank you especially for letting me thank the mentors on the field during the saturday award ceremony. I will never forget all the comments I got for jumping up and down to get the crowd to cheer. That was soooo much fun. Some people are even working on getting me to do that in Atlanta too. Congrats to everyone who competed and we'll see you all in Atlanta!

Re: Boston Thanks
 

Kathie and Jenny,
It was great seeing you both. Thank you for bringing this up. With nearly 50% of our teams falling under the first through third year category we were a little concerned with the preparedness of the teams. Especially considering the number of younger teams that struggled to pass inspections at other regionals even during the first day of qualification matches. Fortunately, we had a very diligent crew of volunteers and teams who stepped up to take the rookies under their wing, make sure their machines were running and programmed, made matches, developed strategy, and understood the general flow of regional competitions. Many of these younger teams shared how great of an experience you guys made it for them. What a better way to indoctrinate Gracious Professionalism then to show them first hand right off the bat! This Rookie/Young Team Assistance program will continue here in Boston. I want to thank the members that staffed this program:

-Paul Hendershott, whose daughter is on the planning committee, and flew out from Colorado just to head this program
-Jenny Beatty
-Corey Balint
-Kim Masi
-Tom Bottiglieri
-Greg Marra
-Dave Ferreira
-Robert Masek

Also, kudos to 125 the Nutrons, 246 Overclocked, and 1403 Cougar Robotics, who spent countless hours on Thursday and throughout the competition helping these younger teams.

I apologize if I missed anyone (please add to the list), but I am very grateful to you all for making this program vision a reality. You guys get FIRST and truly made Boston an amazing event.

Best,
Wayne

Aroon, it was great seeing your spirited thank you to the mentors. You've done this at two regionals so far, NJ and Boston. Each time it gets better. I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve for the CMP

Re: Boston Thanks
 

I think the judges who joined the dancing during a few of the time-outs especially during the finals could give us field crew folks a run for our money. :yikes:

Where else in the world can you see high school students, college students, professional technical mentors, professions from high-tech industries and companies (such as Google), professors from MIT, and executives & senior executives of million dollar (or even billion dollar) companies dancing along side each other?

Hollywood may have it's own version of "Dancing With The Stars" but I think we redefined the meaning of that term this weekend. :)

<overheard as I walked back onto the field area>
"So apparently Bob Metcalf knows the Macarena, and is pretty good at it." :cool:

I had to crack a small smile at that remark. lol

Good times had by all, and even with a few logistic issues, the show went on and it was one of the best and most interesting regionals I have had the pleasure of attending in my 7 years in FIRST.

Way to go Boston!!!!

I'll be back next year without a doubt. :)

Re: Boston Thanks
 

I saw you there, but wondered why you didn't join in the Cha-cha slide!;)

Re: Boston Thanks
 

Lots and lots of assistance... several members of FRC 839 (Rosie Robotics) helped out, as did Greg Caswell.

Re: Boston Thanks
 

I didn't realize it until I'd left- this was the first time I'd been to a regional just to volunteer, not with a team!! And let me tell you, it was a great place for me to have my first regional volunteer experience. Thank you to everyone who made this event SO AMAZING!! I got back home and couldn't stop talking about it to anyone who would listen (and several who wouldn't!)

Re: Boston Thanks
 

I was having an interesting engineering & human psychology based discussion I did not want I tear myself away from with a fellow older crew member at the time.

I soooo wanted to join in during the Cotton-Eyed Joe dance... but I was stuck doing my crew-ly duties and inflating tubes for the final rounds that we needed.

Oh well, all play and no work makes for a crazy life. lol Then again, all work and no play does the same... so I guess we need that balance.

Even though I wanted to join in, I still had fun.
So I guess that's all that matters in the end. :)

Re: Boston Thanks
 

I would like to point out a program that I think should be instituted in all the Regionals. The "Ask an Engineer" program started by the Northeastern Univ. NuTrons, Team 125. I think the idea of having some 'freelance' roboticists is a great idea to help out the rookie teams or even a veteran team with a dilemma.

The college students running the show really do get the true meaning of GP. Zack, Kyle, Chris, Steve.........the whole gang. I know of at least 6 robots they completed to at least a drivable condiditon on Thursday. Then they went out and kept their own going and won the Regional.

Outstanding!! Good job!!