[Al Skierkiewicz]

I have had so many of these moments it is hard to count or remember them all. One took place just recently as my wife and I were helping a team prepare for their Chairman's presentation. They told us that in their rookie year we picked them for our alliance and together we won the regional. They went on to tell us that now it is a team policy that whenever they have a chance to pick, one of their alliance will be a rookie. That is so cool!
One recurring moment takes place at every regional I attend. I religiously talk to every rookie team every day to fill them in on what will take place. I encourage them to speak freely with judges for an important reason, they are able to receive the Rookie All Star award and that means an opening at Champs. In many of these teams I see the potential for RAS and watch them through the weekend like a nervous parent watching a budding impresario. When one of those teams is finally announced and winds their way down to the field for their award, I like to be waiting for them to congratulate them and remind them what I had told them about the Champs slot. Every time, one or more of the mentors will smile and nod and then a few seconds later will light up knowing they just got a buy in to Champs. This is followed closely by a realization that they now have to come up with travel arrangements, money, etc.