I have been trying to feel out my thoughts on this event over the past few days as the event comes closer every day to happening and I think I have finally come to a sense of feeling I can post.
I wont lie when I say that one of the things that drew me to starting FIRST was the opportunity to go to Disney. I'm not saying I wouldn't have joined FIRST if it wasn't for the trip to Disney and a week out of school, but what kid is going to complain about a trip to Disney. If this concert, the production piece that comes from it, or other "events" in the future draw people to FIRST, is that a bad thing?
As for the performers who will be playing, whether it is Will.I.Am, The Black Eyed Peas, Willow Smith, or any number of other potential guests, Who has said they did not approach FIRST and volunteer to do this for us? I am grateful to whoever will be playing together for FIRST that they are doing so and potentially will help FIRST's programs grow.
Also for those of you that have been around FIRST for a while, you may remember a certain
PSA video that was done with Will Smith in 2002(?). In the video he says to keep doing great things and making better technology so he can stay home with his kids. Well now his kids are grown a bit and well, they are coming to us. I know that to me, this is inspiration to keep doing what we are doing.
While some of you may glance over my thoughts, and the few cents they are worth, maybe just maybe this concert will attract some student with no plans for a future, to join a FIRST team, and a decade later will be standing in front of a class of students teaching and inspiring them to have a future of their own!