[Carol]

The year MOE went to the White House (along with the equivalent FLL and FTC winners) was a one-off event. Dean had a meeting with President Bush, so it was arranged to have the three winners all give a quick demo of their robots at the WH (and photo op). And, later that day, to a congressional reception in another building (although there weren't many congressmen there). We were extremely lucky to have the planets aligned the proper way to get a chance to visit the White House.

We were informed the evening that we received the Chairman's Award by FIRST that we would be going to the WH a few weeks afterwards. But we weren't allowed to tell anyone outside our immediate families for security reasons. We were limited in numbers, and all had to get a security check in advance.

Funny story. We had to deliver the robot a few days early so that the Secret Service could check it out, as Bush was going to drive it himself. They couldn't fit in through the door of the room they had planned to store it, so it spent the weekend in Laura Bush's office (who was out of town).

More to the point, I agree that all CA winners should go to DC. Daisy went as part of a large "science fair" type event where winners of many different STEM type competitions were present. That is something they should arrange every year.