Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

I had a great time! The playoffs were thrilling and the finals well played; congrats to 2046, 1983 and 949. Special thanks to 1983 for providing a practice field for the Seattle area. Also, thanks to the countless teams who responded to our many breathless requests for parts. I loved the friendly pit atmosphere, even if that grill's fries got really old...

-Adlai Felser, team 948

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

I believe it was really our pleasure. Personally, I enjoyed watching some of the teams that were done practicing, even when we were far from finished... It was quite exciting! It was also really cool to have teams on our alliance that we had seen way before any of the competitions, and already know what they could do!

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

I would like to thank 949 for not being picked :) You guys where a key part of our alliance, without your autonomous capabilities we would have been hard pressed to win.

I want to also thank 2046 for having an awesome, evil, fast claw there to score with us. Also as a side note, if Brian ever gets rid of that clip let one of us know, we will be there in a heart beat to clip him again :P

A big thank you and congratulations to 488, one for taking a hit for the team just to help us get back in the game. As for chairmans, you guys deserve it.

Another thanks to 1778 for providing one very, VERY stressful match for the first finals, man I nearly had a heart attack and then we would have never gotten our batteries :D

Everyone at Tacoma rocked, thanks for making it such a good regional everybody.

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

I guess its easy to say that you loved going to a regional when you did really well... so we loved the Seattle Microsoft (Tacoma) Regional.

But more importantly, we made a bunch of new friends there... and rekindled friendships that we had started last year in our rookie year and this year in the off-season.

Team 1778 had a great day and finished at the top of the heap as the #1 Qualifier. The they also won the Imagery award and the Safety award. We love you guys and since we are both SPEEA sponsored, between the two of us we really made SPEEA members proud. It was great to battle with you in the finals and your alliance score of 80 points was the second best all day!!!!

There were so many other great teams that its hard to talk about all of them

Congrats to 488 for winning a well-deserved Chairman's Award. It is about time!!! You are a team that everyone should emulate. You show great spirit and professionalism.

Thank you team 2046 .. We had never had a chance to play with you guys until the finals and the wait was worth it. We complemented each other on the field and the other alliances could not concentrate on both of us so one or the other of us scored.

Team 949 ... gosh we knew you guys had a great Hybrid..but sheesh... you guys were beasts out there during the finals.... we were astonished when you were still around to pick...

I think we made a pretty good alliance and we hope to play with you both in Atlanta.

My biggest thanks go out to the volunteers and FIRST staff at the event.
I cannot remember a regional that I have attended that ever went smoother than this one. The referees were magnificent with clear and fair calls. Fred was great as a head referee (as usual) and was great at taking the time to explain calls to team members.

Anyone that missed this regional really missed something. Hawaii will be great but it can't be any warmer or friendlier than our Microsoft Seattle Regional.

Thank you Kevin and Deb and everyone else.
Thanks especially to Microsoft for bringing FIRST back to Washington,
Now it is our job to keep it here... and make it bigger...

Lastly, to my team....
I could not be prouder of you guys. Everyone did their jobs with enthusiasm and gracious professionalism. Thank you!!!

The best quote I heard at the event came from the photographer just after the Mascot dance off... He looked at me as we were taking our Mascot off the field and getting him water after his efforts....
He said: I am paraphrasing...

"Boy, When you guys from the Skunkworks do anything you do it all the way don't you?!!"

I like to think so....
we made a BIG stink.... Now its time to breath it in....

I love you guys...



now.... get to work....

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

Mr. Steele, we love you too!

We would not have a team without you!!!

I have learned so much from you about myself, FIRST, life, engineering, and everything else you could imagine!! FIRST has changed my life, very much for the better, and none of us would have FIRST without you!!

You have opened the eyes of our school, and touched many lives this weekend. I am sad to be leaving, but encouraged that you are not and will continue to be a part of this team and school and touch the lives of many students to come and be a true role model.

We truly appreciate, respect and love you for all you do for us!

(oh, and don't worry... i'm doing my astronomy homework! :D)

The few, the proud, the Skunks, would not exist if it weren't for you!!!

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

STOP IT!!! YOU GUYS ARE MAKING ME CRY!!! haha

Even after rubing grease on my face and banging on my head with dave's broken carbon fiber claw i knew you had love inside of you! I have been waiting for you to declare your love to us someday, but i didnt know it would be on chief delphi!!! haha jk :D

I argee with stephanie "We truly appreciate, respect and love you for all you do for us"!

The few, the proud, the Skunks, would not exist if it weren't for you!!!

Thank You for EVERYTHING!!! (besides the banging and greasey face) =]

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

What could I say about this regional after its end... a lot. Myself, I am an exchange student from Germany and therefore (and unfortunately) just a student member for this year. My placement at Aviation High School was pure luck and what a lucky guy was I!
I have to say this was definitely one of the most amazing if not THE most amazing day in my life so far!
I have to say I am proud to be a Skunk and I am proud that I was able to get to know all our mentors and students. But my biggest thank you goes definitely to our coach, Mr. Steele.
He is spending so much time with us, explaining, helping, coordinating and still has a full schedule and likes to joke with us! Simply great!
@Daniel: I thought the banging was actually pretty funny...you guys destroyed it... ^^

In Portland and Seattle did the myth of the indestructible carbon fiber claw!

I will never forget those experiences. I will always be a Skunk. The few, the proud, the SKUNKS!
Go Skunkworks!

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

I really enjoyed the regional in Tacoma. It was an incredible learning experience.

I cannot express my thanks enough to the staff and volunteers who ran the event. My team and I enjoyed everything from the competition to the team social. My hats are off to Kevin Ross and Deb Mumm-Hill for running such a smooth event. It was unbelievable how the administrators, inspectors, judges, refs, and even the people who had to remind us to wear our safety glasses in the pits were extremely pleasant and prepared.

I want to especially thank Kevin Reed giving up the opportunity to see the show at McChord Air Force Base to take out one of our student members to dinner on Friday evening. Your sacrifice was extremely appreciated.

Good luck in Atlanta to the Northwest teams: 1983, 2046, 949, 488 qualifying from the Microsoft Seattle Regional and 1318 and 1540 qualifying from the Portland Regional.

I want to give a shout out to the #1 seed, team 1778. You had an awesome bot and team!

I also want to give thanks to our Alliance Captain and top-seeded rookie team 2412 and other Alliance partner team 2002. After our dismal performance in the qualifying matches on Saturday, we were grateful for our selection on you alliance. I am glad that we were able to show our good side during the first elimination round.

We also thank the Skunkworks for providing a practice field. You guys may make a big stink, but it is admired and appreciated.

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

What team is Jason Brett from?

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

1346, I believe.

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

Thats correct. His name on here I believe is dtengineering. He posts often.

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

He's a really hostile person who frequently posts after eating too much Canadian bacon, but we try to make allowances for that. I picture him wearing a toque and driving the possum van.

(Heh. I slay myself. Jason's a wonderful Woodie Flowers kind of guy, and is a real asset on CD.)

Re: 2008 Microsoft Seattle Regional
 

Rick, mais oui je porte un touque! Here's a photo of me doing just that at an off-season Canadian FRC event where we have just been selected to join the #220 alliance!

Jason