Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Most of the regionals are finished and Chairman's awards have been given. There are alot of teams that have won multiple regional Chairman's awards, and just as many first year winners. What are all of your Chairman's predictions for the national competition in Atlanta?

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Hmmmmm myself and a teammate believe that it will be 1114 or 45.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I dunno... it's kind of hard to beat 1138's (ongoing) international outreach. Guess why New Zealand is working on a regional? How about Hawaii's regional? Yep, I think I've already identified the "culprits" in those.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Team 236 is sitting on a pile of seven consecutive RCAs, which I believe is the longest active streak, if not the all-time record. This year seems as good as any for them to finally cash it in.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I have absolutely no favorites in the teams that qualify and will qualify this year for the Championship CA. That said, 234 is rock solid in every way and has been for many years. Their performance on the field and off the field is the real deal.

When 234 finally takes home the Championship Chairman's Award, I will probably clap until blisters form on my hands.

I don't have a favorite and if I did, it would be 418. :) But - I see a standard of excellence in 234 that I can't help but recognize every single year - even with Chris's horrible awful bad puns.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

You cannot take away credit for the Hawaii Regional from Governor Linda Lingle. Although team 1138 has done some workshops here in the islands recently, it is our beyond amazing governor who is respsonsible for the Hawaii Regional. Not to mention that FIRST has been in Hawaii for 10 years with 359 and 368 as a result of an inspriring demo by the Cheesy Poofs and the hard work of Art Kimura.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I was not intending to take away any credit. But, I must ask, did the governor and the existing teams from HI do all the work for the regional, including get enough teams for one? Did not the workshops help with the teams issue? Without enough teams, there can be no regional.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

234 or 45.

I love 45 more though. ;)

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

<snif> so I guess 1676 doesn't have much of a chance. :(

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I cast my vote for 236. Maybe I have a local bias from seeing their work personally, and often, but seven consecutive RCAs has to mean they're doing something right. Their passion, spirit, and enthusiasm is contagious... it's in their blood. How many teams can you say that about? :cool:

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

We'll be cheering you guys on as always. :cool:

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

The RCA has only been around since 2003, making this the seventh year. So not only is that the longest active streak, it's the longest streak possible. Quite impressive.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I just have to repeat what Cynette said to me:

There are so many great Chairman's teams this year, and no matter WHO wins, I will be happy, surprised, and proud!

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

My heart will be for the local teams 340 and 1511 but my head says it's time to reward 45 or 234.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I see your point and not to take any credit from 1138, Nancy and her team are amazing, but though the workshops may have been helpful, the Hawaii Regional primarily owes its existence to 1. The government 2. Nasa/BAE Systems 3. Organizations such as The Hawaii Scholastic Robotics Alliance & The Hawaii Regional Planning Committee (Mentors of many veteran Hawaii teams are members) and 4. the support and mentoring of veteran teams to start teams at other schools (4 to 25 in one year!)

I cannot speak on behalf of New Zealand, but Hawaii was definately not due to one team,person, or organization.

As for volunteering and helping with set-up etc for the regional.... this is done by numerous Hawaii teams, mentors, and local volunteers....two amazing volunteers being Alex Ho and Osa Tui of 368 (this year's volunteer of the year)

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I'm pretty sure the Regional Chairman's Award has been around since 2002. I remember watching 131 win at the first FIRST regional I ever attended (UTC Regional). :P
The Techno-Ticks were there, but they didn't start their streak until the following year.

The history of these teams on usfirst.org reveals it all. Team 22 won the National Chairman's Award in 2001 without any Regional Chairman's Award.

But nonetheless, seven consecutive Regional Chairman's Awards, six in a row from the same place. That's very impressive.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Why?

What do you think that these teams have done that other teams have/have not done? What is important to the decision-makers, the judges? Should longevity of CA program make a difference, consecutive years/ number of years winning CA? Should longevity of team make a difference, original team, 3 year team, 5 year team, 10 year team? Should doing 1 or 2 "big" things outweigh a bunch of littler things? Should sponsor contribution to regionals/FLL make a difference?

I love these who is it going to be threads. I have got to say I have been able to pick the past 2 winners (they were pretty easy to pick). This group seems to be a lot of teams with similar resume's. Who ever wins will be a very deserving team. Please go out to the winning teams & thank them for their hard work & dedication.

I'm just waiting for the day when they start giving out more than 1 per year. In 2000 there were 10 regionals. This year there will be more than 40 regional/state winners competing for 1 award.

If I had to bet my hair on it I would take; 234, 1108, 1114, and 236 against the field. But I am always wrong so that still give the rest a chance.


I will obviously be rooting for our local teams!

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Anyone care to post a full list and save me the effort of hunting through all the regional awards sites?

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

the list so far

1519
1625
1089
1014
234
932
1710
88
340
1566
2344
1538
1745
1557
1138
1311
337
668
1714
2230
2486
364
45
1511
1086
433
1108
1305
1987
236
1114
359
987
418
360
1676
1323
353

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Is that just this year's RCA results?
Are you eligible for 2 years as is the case (iirc) with the WFFA?

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Yep, you're right. I was thinking about the current "only-submit-an-essay-and-give-a-presentation" format. The first year for that was 2003. The first year for the RCA was 2002.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

This year's list not including 2 Minn events & 3 Michigan State winners. Pretty long list huh?

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Michigan District winners, which will be in contention at MI Championship:
27, 33, 66, 217, 247, 280, 503

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

While it is certainly a commendable accomplishment, is "international outreach" the end all and be all of Chairman's Award criteria? I certainly hope not - I certainly hope the judges "normalize" each team's accomplishments when compared against the challenges they faced to achieve them, as well as the resources available to the team to practice their outreach.

For many teams, fighting the good fight on the home front takes top priority, and accomplishments at home in the face of extreme adversity should be valued equivalently to other teams' successes achieved abroad.

For some teams, you can't hope to change the world if you don't first inspire your local community. And some communities, due to many factors, are much, much, much, MUCH harder to inspire than others.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

There are a lot of great teams this year as always.

I'd say if I had to pick one it'd be 45. They've been around longer than almost everyone and they do great things in their community.

If 217 won Chairmans at The Michigan State Championship then they'd be my personal favorite though.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Nope, this year's Regional Chairman's Award winners are the only one's eligible for the Championship Chairman's Award.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

My vote is going to 234, 1114 has a great, great, great program I just am feeling it for 234.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

All of the teams mentioned here, plus many more, would be very good choices. Unfortunately the current rate of one winner a year lags far, far behind the rate that the list of deserving recipients is growing.

And given that there is no *single* objective measuring stick for gauging the worthiness of the winner, and that many of the Chairman's essays, videos, and presentations are not (yet?) publicly available, I'm not sure that I can offer any more prognostication than that.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Aside from hoping my team has a good chance, Im going to say 234.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Judging from what I saw on the field and off the field at DC from Cyber Blue team 234 my bet goes with them. After that regional I did some research on them as a team and their outreach...they are the real deal and I can't wait until Atlanta.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

My Prediction: Team 1114 -Simbotics will win CMP Chairman's!
Due to their "Simbot Effect" and their success at inspiring so many teams. :cool:

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

45, 234, or 1114.

Of those, my preference would be 234. :)

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I agree but I'll add,

45, 234, 236, 1114

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I can agree that there is a high chance that the Chairman's team will come from this list. There are so many inspiring and hardworking teams out there, it's impossible to tell who will win. :cool:

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

My money's on 236 as well, although I've heared many good things about teams 45 and 1114.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Final List of CA teams! Congrats to all Regional CA winners. Good luck in Atlanta. I've added some info on when the teams formed. Below is a list of the number of CA winners & thier rookie years. 2000 leads the pack with 8!
1992 1
1996 2
1997 1
1999 3
2000 8
2001 1
2002 2
2003 6
2004 3
2005 7
2006 3
2007 3
2008 3


27 1997
33 1996
45 1992
88 1996
217 1999
234 1999
236 1999
337 2000
340 2000
353 2000
359 2000
360 2000
364 2000
418 2000
433 2000
668 2001
932 2002
987 2002
1014 2003
1086 2003
1089 2003
1108 2003
1114 2003
1138 2003
1305 2004
1311 2004
1323 2004
1511 2005
1519 2005
1538 2005
1557 2005
1566 2005
1625 2005
1676 2005
1710 2006
1714 2006
1745 2006
1986 2007
1987 2007
2169 2007
2230 2008
2344 2008
2486 2008

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Congratulations to all Regional Winners. This group is so impressive with so many deserving teams. A few that stick out to me....
-45
-234
-236
-1114

I'm happy i'm not a judge!

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

The MI team are 27, 33, and 217. All great teams with a legitimate shot. I'd add 217 to the list of top 5 contenders for sure. Go Thunder Chickens!

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Definitely. Imagine trying to decide on the Championship Chairman's Award winner each year... what an impossible task!

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I smell an Indiana win this year for CMP CA..

The work that both 45 and 234 has done is legend.
They have both won RCAs at a variety of Regionals all across FIRST.

The IRI is the premier off-season competition in FIRST...

It's about time that an Indiana team took home the CMP CA.

Many teams are certainly worthy...
It is a great group of competitors...
Good luck to everyone!!!

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I think what he was trying to say was that it was a collective effort. New team growth was not really occurring because of no system being in place to allow these teams to learn the basics for FIRST. We heard that most teams did bot ball when we first went to Hawaii in the Summer of 2007.

In a way though, our workshops were a catalyst to allow these new teams to pop up, and with the help of Governor Linda Lingle, Alex Ho, Osa Tui, and may others, the regional was formed. There needs to be a system though to teach the new teams the fundamentals and basics and also to allow them to grow. The system was also not fully in place the next summer as we had to come back and host the workshops, but this allowed further growth. The workshops are not the sole reason for FIRST Hawaii to be at the level and magnitude it is today, but it helped along the way, as well as mentoring from the veteran teams in the area.

For New Zealand though, FIRST and VEX were only introduced this past year at the last set of workshops. A regional was not possible due to funding, but will most likely happen in the future due to the large amount of interest for one, and the amount of teams. Come July, 1138 will go again to New Zealand to host another set of workshops to allow teams that went to the first set to grow and advance, and to allow new teams starting out to learn the basics.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Every RCA winner has a chance this year, like every year.
Those that have won, especially multiple times can attest to the hard work, challenges, dedication and good/bad times in earning that award.
Regardless of who wins/dont win, the RCA winners are already winners based on their accomplishments and should be celebrated by all that knows the respected teams.

Good luck everyone and look forward to seeing you all in Atlanta!

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

Honestly, IM pulling for the underdog - 1557
they are an amazing team with amazing students and mentors and they where our pit buddies at Florida and they really deserve to win it

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I'd say 359 also has a relly good chance. But I haven't really studied any of these teams and their presentations.

Re: Chairmans Predictions for Nationals
 

I have team 217 the Thunderchickens to win it