[Chas_G]

I think one of the biggest things that FIRST students, mentors, coaches, alumni, sponsors, etc. need to remember is that it does not matter if your team gets a blue banner. What matters is that all of the parties involved have their lives impacted in a positive manner. There are very few programs (in any area of study) where high school students will get to collaborate with industry professionals. When students are in college or in the field, students who participated in FIRST are going to say "I learned all about these engineering topics" and not "I won this regional when these teams were there!"

I almost wonder if mentors and coaches are judging how well they lead the program by how many banners they have hanging in their shop. Maybe a refocusing is needed on all levels to remember that FIRST isn't about winning competitions.

If you need proof, just look at the name.