[msimon785]

Thank you will.i.am! I thought that the special was fantastic, and I'm really thrilled to see FIRST portrayed in such a positive, "cool" light. I think that it's important, as many others have already pointed out, to realize that we were not the targeted audience. It was directed at people ignorant of FIRST and its potential, hoping to exhibit the organization as something on par with celebrities and pop-culture in terms of "coolness". On that front, it most definitely succeeded.
It was really great to see several fellow team members on tv shaking judges hands graciously cherishing the title of regional finalists right at the end of the 1717 spotlight. Things like this really make me wonder why it is our school undermines the program, providing countless barriers to our success.
If I had one point of disappointment in the special, it would undoubtedly be the mistake consistent with all tv specials on FIRST. It really bugs me when they say, "Each team gets shipped an identical kit of robot parts to build their robot. They also get a manual which tells them what to do in this years game". This makes it seem like there is no design process and that we *only* use the KOP. On the contrary, most teams only use electrical eq. Drive train parts in the KOP are quite limited.
That said, that did not detract from my appreciation of the special and of will.i.am. I am really glad that he fulfilled his promise made at kickoff, a promise which I thought would fall through as soon as the kickoff ceremony ended.