[Anupam Goli]

When we're all new to the great varsity sport of FRC, sometimes we aren't convinced of the legitimacy of the creations of others. Even now, one of the mentors of Team 1002 still claims Ed builds 1311's robot! I know this is not true for a fact, not only from talking with students of 1311, but by observing them. This is the same with 1771 and 2415. How can one not be inspired by 1771 and 2415? The two teams have won 8 regionals in the last 4 years combined. I certainly only look up to them, and wish to be at the top with these two teams.

It's all about the inspiration, and if you mindlessly say someone's robot is "mentor built", you aren't doing what FIRST is asking you to do. Treat it like a real Varsity Sport. Work hard, learn, and do what these teams do to succeed. It's a doctrine that I've had to spread to my team after our recent failures. Ever since 2010, our team has been ranting on about mentors building others' robots and using every possible excuse to not improve themselves in the name of the sport. They even went as far as saying that it's just a high school club, not an athletic sport. How frustrated I was at this attitude. It didn't help that the team did not listen to me, one of the few individuals who treated FRC like the Varsity Sport it was, researching and practicing for the season.

I've finally convinced a few members of the vision of FRC and FIRST, and through my own feelings of guilt, I will mentor the team so they will do better. I know for a fact I don't want to look up to 1771, 1261, 1311, and 2415. I want to be up there with them.

Stay strong, the hate only makes you stronger. Continue to do what your team does best: Inspire others to reach up to you and raise the competition level.