View Single Post
  #20   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 01-03-2012, 22:48
Katie_UPS's Avatar
Katie_UPS Katie_UPS is offline
Registered User
AKA: Katie Widen
no team
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: Wisconsinite lost in Texas
Posts: 957
Katie_UPS has a reputation beyond reputeKatie_UPS has a reputation beyond reputeKatie_UPS has a reputation beyond reputeKatie_UPS has a reputation beyond reputeKatie_UPS has a reputation beyond reputeKatie_UPS has a reputation beyond reputeKatie_UPS has a reputation beyond reputeKatie_UPS has a reputation beyond reputeKatie_UPS has a reputation beyond reputeKatie_UPS has a reputation beyond reputeKatie_UPS has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Dean's List Winner

So how about we look at this a different way:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wing View Post
I'm agreeing with you in that the Dean's List should be about the future leaders of FIRST and those who have brought the values of FIRST and FRC to their school and community, not a stunt to give Juniors a 1-up in college admissions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostmachine360 View Post
Now, FIRST has something that could become world-renown past our own community, and set our best students apart from the rest. While I think that the Dean's List award this year will exhibit some students that are truly the embodiment of FIRST, the award isn't supposed to be a publicity stunt.
I would not call this a "publicity stunt" because I doubt this does much to publicize FIRST.

Also, I'm not entirely certain why so many people are bashing something that could possibly be the change between a student getting in or getting rejected from a college (I imagine that the award might help justify a lower GPA or a shorter list of extra curriculars). Is it really that bad that FIRST wants to help out the students involved?

Once again, honor is great and most people love having their ego's inflated/stroked/brought into existance, but that's pretty much all that does for a senior. It actually helps out a junior. Functionality over feelings?


Quote:
Originally Posted by ebarker View Post
Clarified what ?
In many, but not all, in many cases the senior year is where the student really stands out in how well they "get FIRST" and it is easier to discern and make those recommendation.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostmachine360 View Post
And if it turns out to be that way, I don't think they'll ever be able to use the 2012 FIRST Dean's List finalists & winners and later receipients to their true potential to change this organization for the better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wing View Post
I'm agreeing with you in that the Dean's List should be about the future leaders of FIRST and those who have brought the values of FIRST and FRC to their school and community...
Quote:
Originally Posted by PayneTrain View Post
I was trying to find a compromise.
If FIRST is so focused on changing the culture
---
If they were to have a FIRST "Rising Star" award for juniors who show promise in engineering, and keep the DLA for students who exemplify all aspects of FIRST.

So, lets say your senior wins it. This role model of a student is of DL(F) caliber. Now they're gone and graduated. No more role model for your team. Maybe they'll come back to mentor, but now they're a mentor. As a mentor, its not as much about how you were as a student (which Dean's List recognizes) but who you are as a mentor (the Woodie Flowers award). I could probably write three paragraphs about why I don't think the honor really transfers, but I'll let people wrestle with that one on their own and move on.

Now lets say your junior wins it. The student will be around for another year to serve as an example for younger students and the rest of the team. Your students will see the kind of kid that FIRST considers to be pretty neat (especially compared to other students). In theory, this should breed more DL kids and WILL change some culture. Your future leaders are leading their fellow students on their team. Not wandering off to college or whatever their post-high school plans may be.

There are many ways to think about this (and I'm not asking you to agree and change your mind, but just to consider what I'm saying).


One last thing: I don't think FIRST has the time/money/volunteers/judges to split this award into two categories. And what if a team wants to submit a sophomore or a freshman?


EDIT: I don't assume seniors will leave FIRST, but when they graduate they should seriously have their education (be it in college or elsewhere) be their number one priority, not FIRST. I know students are supposed to do this in high school, but in college you are paying to ignore your studies if you chose do so.

Last edited by Katie_UPS : 01-03-2012 at 23:16.
Reply With Quote