I know not only myself but our entire team had an amazing time at IRI. Only two years ago all of this would have been a dream. Sure we had our downs this year but all the ups we had made them insignificant. Each competition and experience strengthened the bond between our team and I am sad to see it all end.
Although, this is only my second year in FIRST, I feel that one of the biggest lessons that it imparted on me, is "that it is not always about winning but taking all that you can from each experience and using it to not only be inspired but inspire those around you".
Although, he'll probably be mad at me later for doing this, I'd like to call attention to our Drive Team Captain who has been our operator for the past two seasons. Every match, he played whether it was qualifications or eliminations you could easily see that he put everything he had into each match that he played. As cliche as it may sound he put wore his heart on his sleeve each time he stepped behind the driver station's glass.
Like 10 other seniors, this was his last competition as a student and as also as our operator. Although, we were plagued with mechanical problems throughout most of IRI, he never gave up his fight to make it to eliminations. Although the third round of the semifinals would be unknowingly his final match, the happiness he displayed was truly inspiring.
If there was any better way to end a student driver's career it would be driving with the two teams they looked up to the most. Although, many teams had inspired him, Miss Daisy and OP Robotics were the two teams he spoke of the most.
Quoted best by him, "Never in my wildest dream, I imagined running along side 3 of the best robots on the planet. It was absolutely surreal. All you Aluminum Falcons, it has been nothing, but pleasure watching us grow as a team. Fighting through those tough times with those stupid perverted jokes! You are the best group of people anyone can ask for in a team. Thank You for an amazing senior year. You guys will be missed".
I am so glad that I joined FIRST and have to finally admit that I'm hooked
. FIRST has changed my life in many ways, for the better. I am happy that IRI was the experience that marks an end to my FRC student career.
I would like to thank the IRI planning committee for organizing such an amazing event and 341, 2056, and 148 for selecting us for their phenomenal alliance. Also congratulations to 2826, 1114, 4334, and 245 you guys were well-oiled machine and displayed what "consistent deadliness" that could be brought by an effective alliance.
I know this post was long, but thank you most importantly 2168 for making my Junior and Senior Year the most memorable time. I possibly could have had. I will deeply miss all of you.