[Andrew Schreiber]

Ok, for starters, thank you will.i.am. I will admit that I was not the biggest fan of your involvement initially. I found your comments at Kickoff to have the potential to send the wrong message. When I found you would be performing at the Championship Event I got worried since my previous experience with you had involved drug references. (see how important first impressions are kids?) When I found out that half the dome was set up for your stage I was irked because the focus needs to be on the students and I felt you were taking away from that. To put it as bluntly as I can, I was wrong. This wasn't a BEP performing on stage in front of FIRST, it was BEP performing for FIRST. I still had my doubts, I was worried where the money was coming from to pay for it and who had arranged it. When I found out it initiated by you I was impressed. When I found out you were paying for the airtime for tonight's show I was more impressed. I love it when people surprise me in a positive way.

Now, I realize that FLL isn't as sexy as its bigger brothers. I realize that it is easy to dismiss as "those little kids". But it is my opinion that FLL is literally the most important program FIRST has. I've had the chance to work with FLL teams in numerous roles (student->mentor->coach->judge) and I can say that the enthusiasm and passion these students show knocks me off my feet. This special didn't touch on that. For the last couple years I've had the pleasure of judging up in Michigan. I hate waking up that early. I hate being on my feet all day. I especially hate if I have to see a coach who is overbearing. But somehow, despite all of this, I always the events (I did 3-4 events a year) refreshed and wanting to be involved again.

I am still trying to understand my reaction to this special. I recognize I wasn't the target audience though... I'm coming around to this... I was really skeptical at first but, honestly, I think with a little iteration we could turn this sort of thing into a real positive thing for FIRST, for the culture, and ultimately, for the world.

TL;DR - Thanks, mention FLL cuz they are awesome and everyone loves cute kids. Iterate this idea like you are JVN.