I would just like to add my opinion of HoT team and this whole discussion.
Sometimes it takes an adult to say to kids that are upset with "elitist teams" -- Have you considered the amount of work they do? Do you think they put in as much if not more time than you do? Do you think they care about their robot, their community, their schools? Do you think they care about FIRST, etc.
I think we are all here for the same reason. I think we all work hard, students, adults, volunteers... I think we need to stop and think about what this discussion does to our unity.
HoT - You, along with many other teams, have been an inspiration to my team. You have helped us grow and have given us a high bar to reach. We strive to be at the level of these amazing teams. I know students and mentors on HoT and I can tell you they would bend over backwards to help any team that asked (and many that don't ask). Maybe we ought to stop calling these people "elitists" as the name itself is a putdown. I really think we need to strive to be better by being better and not tearing down those that are setting strong solid examples.
I love FIRST, and I've been on all sides of it at many levels. Let's encourage our teams to strive to be better, and respect those that may be better. Let's try to look for the positives and congratulate their hard work. In-fighting and resentment only tear programs down! Let's keep FIRST unified and strong!
