How FIRST has affected you?
 

Wondering how FIRST affected you. I am a freshman, but I would like to see what others have to say.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

There isn't enough space on this forum to explain how this organization has affected me. I will keep it short and to the point. I was first-off a pathetic nerd who could answer so many questions correctly that you could say I was feared by my classmates and so much so I was the last person they would talk to. Then one day in my Honors Biology class I started my FIRST upbringing when the teacher announced a demonstration by Winnovation in Rockford and from there-on I was a FIRST-er. Now if I have free time I have nothing to do, because all my time used to be taken up by FIRST and classes.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

FIRST has done a lot for me because our team is made up of 4 smaller schools (I'm the only member from my school) so it gives me a chance to meet people from other schools. Most of my good friends are from other schools, not from my own school. Also it has opened a door for my interest in Welding. Because of FIRST I took a welding class and learned how to do every type of welding you can do. Although i dont wanna be a professional welder, but now i know a very useful skill that I can use.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Most obviously, I'm going to major in Mechanical Engineering (not a really big change though, without FIRST I would probably be doing either Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics). More subtly, FIRST has really helped me learn leadership skills and time-management. Oh, and FIRST helped me learn that soldering when sleepy is a bad idea.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Quite simply, FIRST has taught me to mind my semicolons.

Plus, it taught me what I don't know (I finally learned what a wrench is, not kidding.)

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

lets see, besides change my whole view on my professional life. not much. I went from wanting to study medicine to wanting to become a programmer in nothing flat. It gave me a life, and a passion. A reason to pass and to make friends. It gave me friends to have faith in. The list goes on and on, its limitless.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

The obvious answer is probably true for all of us- FIRST has given me opportunities that I would never have otherwise had. Between music, drama, and languages there never will be any time in my schedule for shop classes. FIRST has been a hands-on learning experience in all sorts of useful things, from how to solder to the right way of building pneumatics to the vital skill of using power tools without killing oneself.
The most significant change in my life from FIRST has been my recognition this build season that computers aren't actually boring. (yeah... believe it or not, a mere six weeks ago I thought that code just sort of happened!)
If you join a team with an openminded attitude and the willingness to do whatever needs to be done, you'll learn more than you ever did in school-- and you'll only learn things that are interesting or useful!
Also, Team 847 PHRED is my sport. I dislike athletics because I find them totally arbitrary and not all that useful in the real world, but thanks to FIRST robotics I'm able to gain the experience of working on a team.
It's also a less militaristic way to meet interesting people. Nobody "normal" joins robotics, so it's a perfect place for the rest of us.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I cant really explain how it affected me because I have been involved in FIRST since 2001 when I was in 4th grade. I am now a Sophomore, and honestly cant remember times before I was involved in FIRST.

I am probably one of the biggest sports fans you will ever meet, but I do have a problem with them. Most major sports are almost completely based on physical size, a thing that a person really doesnt have much control over. If you were 5'4 and 150 lbs, you could never play many sports because you are too small. You could play football and have the best throwing arm ever, but you would be too short to see over the O line. One of my favorite things about FIRST is the game because you can build your robot almost however you want. I do really get into the matches. I am one of the only people I know who can sit and watch matches all day without getting bored.
Joey

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

This thread is probably mentioned one way or the other; every year. I believe I posted in one of them when I was a sophomore in high school. Now I am going into my 8th season with FIRST. It's been a long journey full of good and bad memories.

Pros: FIRST has directed me to a path that I enjoy working with. I am majoring on Mechanical Engineering at Florida Atlantic University and have had several internships/co ops with different companies. For example with Motorola (because of team 108) and EDF INC. contractor for Pratt & Whitney (because of the mentors from team 179). I have met some good hearted people who are willing to help you through your ups and downs. Most of all, I have met some inspiring mentors who have taught me more than what a book could have.

Cons: FIRST has become a drug for me. A drug that isn't easy to quit. I told my kids that 2007 build season would be my last season with the team and FIRST; but somehow they have managed to pull me back. More so, team 108 engineers, the teacher, the kids have managed to convince me to go back to the team as well. Everything is a business and no matter what, every business turns into politics at one point or the other. I have always tried to keep myself away from "politics," not realizing that I have to face it at some point of time.

Through FIRST, you will face a lot of real world "problems," whether it's business related or personal. It's a challenge that I face everyday and try to get through it. There are times when FIRST will make you smile and there are times when it will make you upset.

I have involved myself with several committees down here in South Florida as well as the regional committee. I am involved with FLL committees down here as well. I am also a full time mentor on 2 FRC teams. FIRST keeps me busy enough for me to not to worry about little things when I am not at work or school or with my family. As far as sleep goes, I have learned to deal with 2/3 hours of sleep during the week.

The effectiveness of FIRST in your life can be different for each individual; It all depends on how you let FIRST effect you as a son/daughter, brother/sister, husband/wife, student, employee and a human.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Thanks for letting us know that it made a difference. As a mom who has driven several places to demonstrate the robot (and I do it much less than our coordinator!), it's nice to know that maybe it really does count for something.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I'll take the opposite and discuss how FIRST didn't affect me.

When I was in High School (in the 90's,) my school was not involved because FIRST was just starting and really wasn't in a lot of schools. Anyway, I went into engineering because I was good at math and science, and I liked my electronics class. Some justification for a career choice, huh! When I did get involved in FIRST (as an engineer) I see how much this mirrors what you will be doing as an engineer. Learning the process now, in High School, has so many benefits for college and your future. You are exposed to many engineering areas and can make up you mind on actual engineering experience and not on whether your good at physics or not. I'm glad the career I chose, but FIRST would have helped out so much back then when I was trying to decide what I wanted to do.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

If this means anything Carrie, I have been continually impressed by the leadership shown in the animation threads by BuddyB309. Because of the consistent quality of those posts, I made a point of trying meet members of Winnovation while at IRI last summer. It was a great opportunity to learn more about your team and how hard all of you work.

You never know how a team will impact - it is like a pebble in a pond, rippling out and touching everyone with inspiration. Amazing really.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

FIRST makes me tired and sleepy. Last year I lost a pound a week from kickoff to the CMP.

This year I'm still tired and sleepy and eat burgers and ice cream trying not to lose more weight.

I've never had so much fun being so tired and sleepy :)

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I can definitely relate to the views that FIRST has become somewhat of a drug.

I first learned of FIRST in the fall of 2002 whilst working on a Fibreglass Canada Goose project for our school library, when the teacher was co-mentoring our school's first FIRST team. I joined on the spot. That was in Grade 10.

In grade 11 we competed again, but in grade 12 (2005 season) due to lack of sponsorship, 1075 didn't compete.

I learned through the lead mentor (whom I've made good friends with over the years), that the team was back for 2006, and I elected to aid the team with the programming aspect of the game, as this was my primary area of expertise. In 2007 and 2008 I have been a very active member of the team, despite my being a now 3rd year university student.

FIRST is like a drug. For six weeks out of every year, the lead mentor (Mr. Smith) and I eat, sleep, and breathe everything robots. His family goes without their Dad for those six weeks, and they should be applauded just as much as he should. 1075 has always had notoriously bad support from the teachers in our school, so its basically just the one teacher, all the time.

Mr. Smith and I both are thoroughly addicted to the world that is FIRST. The challenges are many, and never stop challenging us to better our designs and develop a truly fantastic machine.

I have always been the kind of person that has to know how everything works. FIRST has taught me how to convert that knowledge into how to MAKE something that works. While I may not be the best at manufacture, I am quite capable of very functional designs. FIRST has done me a great service. Its also consumed the last 5 and a half years of my life.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

!!! I just spent like 45 minutes writing a huge thing about how much Robotics has affected me.. and CD TIMED OUT!!! as if!!

so, starting again...

I'm 17 and in my 3rd year of highschool and have been on the Local Robotics team since my grade 9 year.

Prior to joining this team I was a sissy girl (yes, I'm admiting to being a priss when it comes to getting dirty) and I've spent a bulk of my time each year for three years with a group of about 25 tech savy boys. DO YOU HAVE IDEA HOW THAT CAN AFFECT A PERSON? Basically, it changed me completely. I have an all new respect for these people and, of course, love them to death.

I don't think any other program or organisation could have exposed me to such a completely respectable and admirable group. I have learnt so much from these people and have gained so much self confidence that it makes me smilee just thinking about it.

Lastly, I want to say that at the beginning of this season my mentors showed us a FIRST insipirational video about Robotics and it's entirety and I was crying... I've never been so happy to be apart of something so great. It brings tears to my eyes to see the level of success and achievement teams around the world are receiving through FIRST... and that doesn't mean just metals.. it refers to EVERYTHING this organisation has given us :D (many others have posted the specifics e.g. time management, teamwork etc.)

:D and tears of joy

Okay, so that was the emotional impact.. as for the physical...

I CAN WELD!! I can omg! weld!! I didn't weld anything on the current robot because I'm a wuss butttt I can totallly weelDD!! (Special thanks to our team captain Mitch for his graciousness and extreme patience <3)

:D

Also, I've been apart of the Electronics team since the beginning and am completely and utterly capable of wiring the whole entire (complicated bundle of metal) err.. I mean ROBOT. And, I know like everyone on this forum can do it with their eyes closed.. but I'm so proud of it and so completely overjoyed that I, a bookworm, can wire and be partially responsible for a beautifully functioning robot :D

I want to thank everyone who has been a part of FIRST. There isn't one person out there who deserves anything less than the biggest most exstravigant applause known to man. We've done an amazing thing... :D

Lots of love, Lindsay Erin of 1535 The Knights of Alloy.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Hmmm how has first effected my life? There are not many kids around here who are interested in the same things as I am. I spent a lot of my life with my brother(who got me interested in robotics). When I became an official member of the team freshmen year I expected great things. FIRST has inspired me to be proud of the "nerd" that I am. I've met so many great people through competitions and through CD. FIRST has also made it possible for me to go to the colleges I would like to go to after I graduate. I think that without FIRST I would not be the same educated, proud person I am today.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I don't think it would be too much to say that FIRST has completely changed my life. In ninth grade, I joined FIRST because my sister had, and my friends were, and I dragged one of my other friends into it with me. I expected to have no fun, and be on the Publicity team, writing articles and laying low until the six weeks were over. What actually happened was much different. In the pre-season, everyone was shop-trained. Though I had done well in middle-school tech classes, I hadn't expected to take to machinery. After the training day, I seemed to be a natural. It was not even a question, I was joining the building part of the team. By the end of my ninth grade season, I could mill, drill, cut, and everything except lathe with the best of them. I was fully involved in this fantastic organization. My sophomore year I became a student leader and learned how to use every machine possible. I had become more social, outgoing, and happier. I had friends from the other schools on my team, and had become better friends with the people from my own school. This year, my 11th grade year, I started programming, and continued to be one of the team's student leaders. Though I am not going to be an engineer or programmer for a living (silly me), FIRST has improved me socially and expanded my horizons.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Thanks Jane! I hope we get a chance to meet this summer at IRI :) This is our second year with FIRST and I can't believe how much it has changed our family life (not to mention the multi-day LAN parties at our home and the homes of other team members...)

Pete is great. He meets with the animation team during the summer and teaches them. He has some amazing ideas and LOTS of energy and the team really likes working with him.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I'm actually a sophomore in college right now, so it has been a full 4 years since I joined Robotics for sophomore - senior years of high school. I don't think I really realized the full effects until now. To name a few, concisely:

• Comfort in the shop: This is a very semi-conscious thing for me, but I feel comfortable in shops, with machines, with basics that a lot of entering college students in Engineering school surprisingly don't know.
• Engineering love: I am in Engineering school purely because of FIRST. I would have probably gone into Bio or Chem had I not had interest in design. I started in Biomedical Eng and ended up in CS - crazy how these things work!
• Amazing friends: Some of my best friends are from robotics competitions. It's awesome to grow with the organization, and to realize that you have found a group of friends that will always understand this special part of your personality.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Wolf, I love to hear that!! I think it's fabulous that were able to become more social, outgoing and happier. I think that's really important and life, and it's fantastic that you have been able to find something to help you.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Hair turned gray and I dont sleep as much.....

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

yeah, I think I have some ulcers now :P

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Well, I could begin to explain, but we'd be here all day.

From a general standpoint, I guess FIRST has really made me see things in a whole new perspective.
Mechanically, I'm far more up the road than I once was. I mean, just a few weeks before this year's kickoff, at work, I found myself using techniques I learned from building our 07 robot to fix some of the appliances. With each pasing year, I learn more and more techniques that I would have never thought of the day (or in some cases, 5 minutes) before.

I guess you could also say that it teaches you to be humble. During my rookie year (last year) I didn't fully understand FIRST. I thought it was going to be a no-holds-barred, knock down, drag out robotics thing. But as the build season progressed, I realized that it was more that a game. This in mind, I went to the regional thinking "Wow, this looks cool." When I got there, I noticed that the teams actually got out to help each other. It struck me as nice. Since then, my attitude has changed a lot.

Another added bonus with the above, it teaches you respect. I gained a great deal of respect for all the FIRST teams, because it's not just about helping your allies to achieve a common goal. It's also about helping those in need, even if they're in an opposing alliance. I guess I should insert "gracious professionalism" here. It really is true to the fullest in FIRST.

Also, it gives you a sense of humor. I won't go into that one. It explains itself.

In all, it's had a BIG effect on me, the team, and the people associated with us. it has expanded us as a whole, not just in the field of robotics. I know, from personal experience, that FIRST is a life-changing experience.

But why listen to me? I'm trying to put it into words, but words can't explain it.

I do know that when you have clocked more hours working on your robot than you have in the classroom, you're truly addicted to FIRST. And I'm guilty of that. This year, our team's diet has mainly been a Pepsi-pork rind-and-occasional pizza-and-sleepless-nights-with-lots-of-work diet. That about sums it up.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

And i forgot to mention.... I met my future wife(haha) Lindsay Erin Mantzel. I hope she reads this.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

DANIEL >_<

lol love you too <3

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

The FIRST program has taught me a lot about mechanical engineering, introduced me to many of my best friends, and many other interesting people, gave me some of my best times in high school, and helped me get a job with one of our sponsors.

This is my 5th year with my team, and I hope to help them out for many more.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I'm a sophmore, but so far, it has made me a much better machinist, taught me a lot about design and how things work, and I've learned a bit about electronics as well. In addition, it's made me better in working on a team. It also might have shortened my lifespan by a few years, from the lack of sleep, and diet of pizza, take-out and soda...:D

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

What's the point of living a long life if it's boring!

I personally rather live 20 years less with robotics a huge part of my life rather than forever without it!!

>_< love how corny that sounded!!

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Lack of sleep teaches you how to think on your feet. And the pizza thing, its only six weeks pizza wont kill you after that long.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

How has FIRST affected me? For one thing, I mumble a lot more than I used to. And I didn't used to have our living room coffee table covered by Vex components...

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

For one, it taught me what a burning motor smells like which has helped me in both my job with machinery and at home with a washing machine :rolleyes: I also developed many beneficial mechanical abilities that I wouldn't have been exposed to otherwise.

FIRST provided me with the jump start to my interests in Mechanical Engineering. Before FIRST, I wanted to patent law or be an architect. I made sure I worked hard throughout high school to allow myself to get a decent package to college (WPI) and I'm now a Mechanical Engineer for large consumer goods company.

FIRST has also caused me to have some of my most defining relationships with friends and mentors. Although some of those friendships have faded, they still helped me become who I am today.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Quite a personal thread isn't this? Funny how much FIRST really has changed almost anyone who enters the challenge.

For me, FIRST has done a number of things, it took my simple interest in electronics from my freshman class to a whole new level and by the next year I was working with both friends I’d known for years and friends I met on the spot on a challenge that I never knew I could face. FIRST gave me the inspiration to try to become a better student in my studies. I learned about how to meet a deadline (and stall if you don't make it).

When I graduated from my high school this last year I picked up a job working as a camp councilor over the summer, it gave me plenty of time to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Try to spend a month without so much as a roof over your head and you tend to yearn for some kind of comfort from home, but for a FIRST junkie like me, the only thing I really missed was FIRST. Helping kids make tye-dye shirts made me think of the great time I had doing robot inspections in Atlanta this last year and meeting the great team, Wildstangs. Figuring out why a dishwasher wont run made me think of all the times I got to trace the wires on our electrical system to make sure everything was running smoothly and honestly, without having done the electrical for 3 years, I don't know if that thing would have ever gotten fixed.

It really is incredible what FIRST can do for you and really, enjoy it as much as you can. Meet complete strangers from the other side of the country or even the world, and realize that all over the place, people share your passion, and there really is nothing better than being able to hang out and root for each others team or help out if something goes wrong. FIRST is an amazing organization, it's almost impossible to compare it to other groups because it is just so different in its message and in its spirit than anything else out there. A group that actually inspires a lazy teen to get into college like myself really can never be described properly as anything else but brilliant.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

My first year in FIRST was as a junior in high school in 2003, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I graduate, maybe computer but I wasn't sure. I spent those two years of high school learning how to be a leader which I would be surprised at how important that was later on.

FIRST has taken me in many directions, I am in my last semester at Purdue about ready to graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) thanks to FIRST I picked a degree I love.

The pros of FIRST for me where that it gave me leadership skills, showed me what degree I wanted, and as a mentor let me bring a lot of joy to a rookie team.

The cons were that FIRST to me was as stated by others was a drug. I love FIRST but I made many sacrifices for it, even this year as a senior when I am in "retirement" I will be working at the regionals and I usually answer email within an hour or two. I have seen as a mentor the good, the bad, and the ugly side FIRST and have been amazed at what it takes to run a team I have a lot more respect for mentors now.

The commitment for those first two years was large but I wouldn't trade those many sleepless nights and the tears shed we shed for anything.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I have dreams about .... ROBOTS!!! how freaking weird is that? that is, when I actually get sleep because that's pretty sparse during build. Oh and also all that emotional stuff about changing my life and other stuff. But in all seriousness, thankyou FIRST for the most fun I've ever had in my life, not to mention the most brain stimulation, and the dirtiest greasiest hands I've ever had. Oh, and my girlfriend, almost forgot ;)

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Wow, How has FIRST affected me? That's a loaded question...

I've been involved in FIRST activities since the 7th grade... when I joined FLL. For me, FLL was a passion, and I loved attending meetings and going to the competitions.

Well, high school came, and i joined my school's FRC team, and I am so glad I did... Robotics has since then become my life. It's not uncommon for me to go to meetings for >40 hours in a week, and i enjoy every minute of that. During this last build season, I missed 0 days >.< and still had sooooooo much fun! For me, FIRST is more than a club, it's valuable real life experience, and it's a fun way to get that out to students.

I think FIRST has taught me more about practical applications of what I have learned (in school and otherwise) than anything else ever has, and more than anything else probably every will!

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I made many good friends through FIRST.

Although, the program itself? I picked up some things here and there, but I can't say it inspired me to pursue engineering.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

In order for me to post on this thread I'd need a lot of free time to write out all my thoughts.

FIRST has introduced me to amazing people, it's set me up for a career path I'm interested in, and it has become my life. I don't consider that a con. (My non-FIRST friends do, though...)

I've been going to events since I was teeny tiny, but since starting my own team and joining CD I have come in contact with the best people you could ever meet. Mentors, students, parents- all of them helping me and inspiring me to be the best I can. I have traveled all over the country for FIRST, and the traveling has introduced me to new experiences- some good, and some bad. (Greyhound buses? Never again.) All of them have shaped me to become who I am. I have never regretted a second I have ever spent at a FIRST event or with the people I've met because of FIRST.

I think my experiences can be summed up in my answer to a FIRST Student Survey we received at the NJ regional:
(paraphrased- I don't remember what I actually wrote)

How has FIRST changed your life?
-It hasn't. Being involved in FIRST from a young age, I have seen the value of the program. FIRST became my life and it is hard for me to imagine life without it. I wouldn't actually know how it has changed me because I never really experienced high school without FIRST.


I will probably come back to this thread- but Study Hall is over.
FIRST is great. Enough said.
:)

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Being apart of FIRST has taught me alot of things and i've met alot of people through FIRST. I've been out of school for two years now and I still talking about being apart of a team and going to the competitions. If I wasn't deployed overseas to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom right now I would probably be at the NASA/VCU Regional cheering on my old team, Team 1610, or there as a mentor to another team that isn't that far from where my home station is.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I actually waited a long while to post on this threat. FIRST carries with it a lot of mixed emotional and psychological baggage that honestly I don’t know how to respond. All I do know is it drives me to new levels of adventure, inspiration, motivation and encouragement.

A little history:
I’m a Military Brat, seven different schools before I graduated
I’ve was always that social outcast, maybe one or two friends at best.
I’m an Eagle Scout, driven to do my best at helping others.
My school never had a FIRST team.

How it’s affected me:
I went to Clarkson largely because Robotics sounded really cool.
Just months out the gate, 15 passenger van accident (2001), two people died.
We didn’t quit, and I couldn’t imagine quitting without dishonoring that memory.
Sophomore year I almost failed out of Engineering, lack of ability and passion.
We went to Nats, I was just floor board by the shear number of teams.
Pressed on with new hope, I would get two degrees: in Engineering & Physics
Graduated, went to Lockheed in Binghamton area, hired I’m sure cause of FIRST.
For two years, I’ve tried building a team at this site, still no luck.
Joined Chuck (2006) and I still look to them as an extended fam.

FIRST has been a lot of Joy, Pain and Sorrow. Really it was the first place I ever felt I belonged. I have no fear of being shy amongst the people, and just want to get to know everyone. The environment is just so… infectious. More that that though, I look to this organization as the next millennium BSA, the values and foundations, and work to be accomplished is incredibly… solid. One thing is for certain though: my mission in life will not feel complete until every school in America has the opportunity to be involved in this program.

Regardless of out come or personal sacrifice it’s an incredible moral responsibility that I take to heart and will do my damnness to succeed at what ever the final shape.

That’s what FIRST has done to me.



Now if only FIRST was more like the real world.
I'm incredably tired of the walking Dilbert commercial around here.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

first made me see that there's more to life than $$ it's more about your impact on others
i saw how much i liked teaching others on my team i made me want to become a teacher it also made me think more about life and less about short term stuff it made me see that it's ok to be wrong

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

FIRST has had a huge impact on me. I was a good/above average student in high school, but not that high level needed to get all of the great scholarships out there. I was a student leader in our machine shop for 3 of my 4 years. I got the attention of a Engineer on our team, and after our last competition in 2006 he gave me an offer for an internship. Without FIRST, I probably wouldn't be going for my Mechanical Engineering Degree, nor have a good-paying job that takes care of my college costs.
Also, if it hadn't been for the wonderful mentors on 447, like Dan Newby, that taught me so much I wouldn't be where I am today.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

This explains my experience in full detail ^.^

FIRST has changed my life drastically, to keep it short and simple so everyone isnt sitting here till next week reading it, FIRST has changed me from very introverted to mostly extroverted. Im not afraid to take on challenges or just be downright silly. I have also been infected by the curse of, you come in knowing nothing, and I am like a sponge, hopefully i will leave with something more.

All in all...GO FIRST!!!

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

The wheels come full circle, and I have my own experience, which is in harmony with many of the previous post. I have always been the first one done with my assignments, and unfazed or joyed at finding I recieved a 100 on my final. School was boring and had been for several years. That's why I had decided to attend Shoemaker, for the robotics team. Being an active participant and only programmer on the team has been a challenge, and I find challenges rather rare and enjoyable.There was always something that needed to be figured out.

But more important than my own enjoyment of the challenges posed by this year, are the skills I've been forced to learn while on the team. Interpersonal, team effort, and Gracious Professionalism are just some of the values and skills I learned.

More than anything else in the world, FIRST challenged my mind, and I found I still have so much more to learn.I hope to continue participating in FIRST even after I graduate, and hope to help make true the mission of FIRST.

-Jesus

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Well, I wrote a quite detailed post on my experience in FIRST in one thread. I just give you the link, rather than copying the whole thing:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...light=exchange

Some of my team mates just call it "the essay"


Chris

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

FIRST has been, by and far, the largest impact on my life. When I was involved in FIRST during my junior and senior years of high school, I learned more about teamwork than I believe any sport could have taught me. I also learned how important deadlines are and made more friends than I know what to do with. The majority of my longest running friendships have been through FIRST. As a high schooler, I looked up to the college students who were our mentors and they are now some of my best friends. I have also become very close with the advisors to our college students. Throughout the years, all of the people from my FIRST team that I looked up to have always been looking out for me and put my best interest at heart.

I went off to work for 7 years and over the past couple of years I have become more actively involved in FIRST again and because of the impact FIRST has had on me, I am now back in school and working toward a degree in secondary education in math and computer science. I realized through mentoring that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE working with students and finding a way to get them interested in math, science, and technology. Seeing the enthusiasm of so many students who may have never found a sport or activity that they were interested in is dumbfounding each and every time, not just the first time you see it. As a mentor to the students, I continually try to befriend them like my mentors did for me. I want them to feel warmth and acceptance from our team the second they walk through a door and realize that a team is truly about becoming a family. While I may have originally thought that I wanted to be an engineer, I now hope that some day I can become a teacher and promote FIRST to a school in a way they never thought imaginable.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I joined first this year, im 11th grade.
In a nut shell FIRST can prepare you for anything in life.
If life was like FIRST then we would have no war, translight drive, AI, colonies on; moon, mars, and europa, and CD would be the U.N. I love this organization, and i will most certianly be back as a senor, and a mentor in college.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

How has FIRST affected me? You really opened a can of worms!

Before FIRST, I was a total anti-social, shy nerd. I wanted high school to end as soon as possible so I could get a pilots licensce and work for an airline. I heard about FIRST when my tech ed teacher announced in class that our school was starting a team. I went to the meeting and it was love at FIRST sight!

Now FIRST is a drug! I c an't get enough! I stayed after school every day to work on the robot and then went to the regional. I put all my effort into the robot, and I was loving every minute of it!

Not only has FIRST taught me millions of new skills and increased my understanding of math and science, it also changed me socially. I am now very outgoing and social. Gracious Professionalism really affected me and I try to live by its ideals daily.

Overall, FIRST changed me significantly, and I'm now nothing like I used to be. I now want to go into aerospace engineering!

And I have to mention, the countless McDonalds and Mountain Dew meals, sleepless nights, stressful days, and class periods spent calculating gear ratios really changed me too!

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Although first hasn't pushed me into following a career in engineering it has still affected me greatly. For one, it gave me a much greater confidence in myself, allowed me to develop friendships with people I might not otherwise have, and has given me he chance to interact with people from all over the country(and even the world.) IT has also given me plenty of leadership and teaching experience. It has also directly affected where I am going to college. If it wasn't for Chief Delphi, I probaly never would have heard about Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

So in summary, how has FIRST affected me? By making me into who I am today. I blame FIRST for everything good that has happened to me.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

FIRST is the best thing that ever happened to me.

I got involved with FIRST in 2003. My best friend was on a FLL team and I volunteered at one of the events. I volunteered again in 2004 and 2005, and I also was able to attend the FRIST VEX Competition in "05". Later that year I started High School and played in the first year of the Milwaukee VEX League as a member of team 1675. I built my own VEX robot, wired, and drove it that year.

In 2006 I started my first year of FRC. I was really excited to be part of a team, to meet new friends, and I would do anything I could that year. I did some animation, CNC, Welding, normal building, wrote WF, Drove the robot (eek!), and did the website and media for the year. I was part of everything so I could see what I really wanted to do. Freshman year after build season I was voted in for captain and that was where I really thrived. I learned to organize, communicate, create, and lead a team.

2007 I was able to branch out some more. I wrote Kevin K's Woodie Flowers that won in Milwaukee (he's really inspired me in the FIRST program and I thank him for it). I also wrote chairmans, and organized demos and did some media again. I learned that I loved to sit down and write or run around with a camera taking pictures and capturing a moment. As a joke Kevin mentioned once that it would be great if there was a Mentor VEX program, so 3 other friends and I created on that summer and held the competition in September.

It wasn't until this year that I realized how much FIRST has taught me. 2008, was the best year for the team so far and I am so proud of everyone. We didn't make it to Atlanta, and when we didn't I realized something about FIRST. FIRST is huge, and full of amazing people. There are people in FIRST that go above and beyond what is needed of them, reaching new heights, and inspiring so many students. This year I learned that I want to be one of those people that runs a regional, mentors a team, and starts up new teams because I've been given this opportunity to be a part of the FIRST community, and I want to give others that opportunity. FIRST isn't just a 4 month event for me anymore, it's a way of life that's changed me into who I am today.

FIRST has made me want to grow up and inspire students, just like the mentors and people in FIRST do for me now. So THANK YOU SO MUCH for the FIRST program, because I don't think I could fit in so well anywhere else. :)

Renee

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I love that quote and I think that, like you, so many people can say that same thing. It is an amazing thing to be able to say about an organization.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I too, love that quote! ^^ It is true for me as well.

I consider FIRST my best mistake. It has affected me in such an amazing way! Before FIRST, I was a diehard athlete. Any time I could get into a competition was a good time for me. I thrive on being able to throw myself into something and give it everything I have. To work as hard as I can and leave it all on the field/court. Many times this was a hazard to my health or life (MRSA [should have died, respiratory arrest and coma], 3 concussions, mutilated appendages, etc) but I just kept going back. I wanted to be able to work my hardest, for the benefit of others as well as myself and to accomplish something. FIRST helped me realize that sports don't accomplish anything. I didn't realize this until late last year (1983's and my rookie year). I was headed to yet another training session for soccer. It was dark and I pulled into the parking lot and couldn't get out of the car. I had left a robotics meeting very early to get to training on time, and I just couldn't justify it to myself anymore. I turned the car back on, and drove back to the meeting. Robotics has been top priority ever since.

I realized with robotics I was actually accomplishing something. I was learning new skills, and leadership, and I was becoming more outspoken and confident in my ideas.

I year later I look back and have no regrets, other than not have realizing this all sooner. Because of FIRST I know what I want to do with my life, I know that I can make a difference, and I know that I want to help other students discover FIRST so it can make a difference in their lives too. FIRST is also going to pay for school! I just recieved a full-tuition scholarship to WPI! FIRST will forever be a part of my life. Here's to FIRST, everything it stands for, and what it means to those of us that make it what it is: AMAZING.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

becuase of FIRST I wanted to go to college early becuase the college is where the robotics meeetings and build happen. Now I can get in on all the action whenever it happens here.

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

Got me addicted.

Every end of the season (exactly after the matches), I say to myself: That's it, no more FIRST for me.

The following day I say, who am I kidding? I'm gonna' be next year, just I'm not gonna' be as supportive as I was before

Then at the next FIRST meeting (or when it's when I meet FIRST friends), I say to myself, Heck, next year is gonna' be our best year and we're gonna' win it if we do this and that, and I don't want to miss being a part of it, and then I start volunteering for being charge of off-season stuff. :p

FIRST also made me quite popular (negative and postive, but I take all the negatives as positives). All the FLL kids at school...well, I guess they..admire me (literaly, these guys just stick to me every day only wanting to talk about their FRC team next year!), I've got lots of friends from other teams in FIRST who know me (some that I don't even know myself :yikes: ).

FIRST taught me that being geek is ok. Geek is one letter from Greek, which those guys were guinsses those days.............

um...yeah, some were proven wrong with their thoeries, but still...:confused:

Anyway, Because of FIRST, I'm not just Nir.

I'm "Nir the CEO". :P

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

although i have only been in robotics since build, i have come to realize that nothing will take the place of FIRST. it has affected me by giving me a few big brothers(Joe, Jowii, Francis, and well Angel i guess too), it has given me a new appreciation for fizzy soda(thanks to mr. gregory, we had cheap soda that was only fizzy for about an hour and it was never gone by then but saved til tomorrow because we all knew that we were going to be up at the school), i have realized that anything with robots on it is cute, that i will probably always have the urge to fix stuff, no matter if it is a papertowel holder at a mexican restaruant, which would have been so much easier to do with a phillips head screwerdriver, i will always want to know how something works and will not stop until i find out how, i see a sign for definsive driving and know that thats not allowed in the competion and that you will get a penalty for it, i will always make a farting noise with the hand dryers that blow really hard and make sure i get the good ice cream and that will does not make it for me, i will always look for lemony switches at radio shack, i will always know how to use all of the machines in the shop, i will always have a 7/16 wrench with purple duct tape on it no matter what, i will always think that acu pants are the most nifty pants for they have 8 roomy pockets on them and that both of my parents are lucky to get to wear them everyday, i will always laugh when i see a trailer hitch, and i will never forget how to chain anything(lord chain and captian zip tie......UNITE)

Re: How FIRST has affected you?
 

I have often wondered how FIRST has affected me and kept asking myself why I kept on doing it for a number of years. Finally this year I'm able to say why.

After spending a number of years on a team as a student who started out as a shy quiet kid who didn't really get involved in team meetings to who I graduated high school as a team leader not afraid to get in there and take charge of a project, and that was going on to school for mechanical engineering.

But this year, my first year as a mentor I discovered why I had stuck around all these years. I was able to see from a mentors perspective how the students are all there coming together to work as a team regardless of if they are friends or not. This right there told me that I was in this because I wanted to see other kids who started out like me shy not knowing what to do with their life turn into confident strong people ready to get out there and make the world a better place for everyone to live in.

In short FIRST gave me a direction in which to go with my life made me realize how fun engineering could be. It also gave me the confidence in myself to get up in front of anyone and do whatever is needed of me whether that be a presentation in school or going to talk to a room full of engineers about FIRST. I also learned why the mentors stick around for many years even after they have no connection with sponsors or students on the team. Just seeing the looks on the teams face when they get to that first regional and see their creation out on the field competing and seeing all the other designs that the other teams have come up with.


MikeM.