I will second that emotion and repost what I witnessed in Connecticut:
One great story is the rookie team 4812, Crosby Robotics, with a paltry crew of maybe five students and mentors that felt like they had bit off more than they could chew. The team was created in December.
On Thursday, they were desperately trying to make their bumpers so they could pass inspection, which they didn't until after their first match. Teams jumped in to help, among many, 4134, Amsterdam, who with a staple gun and hammer, helped them to complete the job. 4812 team was so forlorn at this point.
Then the day began.
In their third match with 228, GUS, they were asked to go after 2170, the Titanium Tomahawks, with their climber dumper, and hit them as they transported their red disks to the pyramid. Crosby's driver did, they lost their cache, and the match was won by only two points.
No question that they are being carried. Nonetheless, they are ranked 12th (losing the first match by DQ) and are theoretically undefeated.
When asked about scouting, they seemed to think about camping.
They are in for quite the ride tomorrow, and may not even see eliminations, but the spirit of FIRST is alive and well in Connecticut this weekend.
Then...
Finally, a quick video of 4812 Crosby Robotics from Waterbury, behind the glass before match 60. This is a thank you video for them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyQpFT2BAGw
I wish I had some footage of their original Robot that eventually became a Scrap Wood NoodleBot after having their top sheared off in an early match
They finished as the highest ranked rookie out of four, and 17th out of 51 Their final record was 5-2-0, with one disqualification because their Robot was not completed and inspected before their first match.
THey got so many hugs after accepting their award.
The help that they received from other teams made me verklempt.