Quote:
Originally Posted by ebarker
Libby,
This is not to take away from the students that have been nominated or have received DL.....or DLF
The issue that people are having, (and I'm sure that has been covered in other threads) is that the definition of DL has shifted.
It was originally a leadership sustainability thing, concerned with the long term future of FIRST.
This past year it transformed into a university talent identification recruitment thing that telegraphs the value of FIRST to the public, by universities being attracted to FIRST talent.
I don't care to debate the merits here in this thread but it clearly needs to be decided what the goals are. For all practical purposes, seniors are sidelined in regards to national DL recognition. The numbers clearly state that, 90% in St. Louis.
It wouldn't hurt to involve university admission directors in the conversation if the goal is talent identification, especially considering the current structure is in part about universities validating the public value of FIRST, in addition to validating the desirability of DL students.
I cannot speak for other teams but from my perspective our local focus for the seniors is to apply our efforts to finding other avenues to support the recruitment and scholarship efforts. Our DL efforts will then have to be focused on juniors. Even though the seniors typically ( not always ) have the most experience and longest track record.
Best Regards,
Ed Barker
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I agree, and would take it one step further. As I read the original Dean's List nomination suggestions, it seemed to me that the DL would give students an extra push toward future successes - whether that be scholarships, college acceptances, what have you.
However, the students that have been chosen were cream-of-the-crop, already going to set the world on fire but here's another trophy for your buckling mantle kids. I'm not saying these kids don't deserve recognition - most of them already had buckets of it, and absolutely let's celebrate the best and brightest. I unfortunately misinterpreted the goal as for students who have struggled and overcome to gain their accomplishments, which may be meager compared to some of their peers, but deserve recognition nonetheless. And the DL would allow them that extra push to persevere through senior year and beyond.
That's the shift I've encountered.