[CalTran]

Honestly? There's no secret to captivating an audience with stories from FIRST. Speak from the heart and people will listen. Talk about how the program has changed you as a person, not you as student #XXX of school district Y. Sure, you can slip in how there's over $15 million in scholarships, and how a higher percentage of kids in FIRST continue to a 4 year or better education, and I encourage you to talk about those facts too. But a story that inspired you to do what you are now would stick better. For some that might be the year they first worked on the robot and got to see it move. Others might equate their story to writing a grant essay and earning their team, say, $5000. Others still might just be going to competition and being the most spirited person on the team, earning a Team Spirit award.

The story that captivates most of my audiences?
"As a Freshmen, I started out doing the Team Media. Y'know, walk around with a camera and take pictures, then write about the day for a blog. Doesn't sound too glamorous, does it? Well, for our team, it was kind of a big deal because no one had ever officially done that. So season progresses and I got to see aspects of all parts of the team. Then competition rolls around, and I find out that there's this little thing called a "media pass" and it gets me on the field with the drive team. So I felt a bit more special. But the most special moment? Walking on the floor of the Atlanta Super Dome. Me, as a freshmen, walking along the floor of the Atlanta Super Dome, to the sound of thousands of screaming High Schoolers. That was why I'm so involved in FIRST now.That's why I wanted to be Team Captain. That's why I'm becoming an Engineer.