[Al Skierkiewicz]

Coach,
I completely agree and it is one of the reasons I have been with this program for so long. I believe that many students (if not all) have the ability to do well and excel in school or life. Unfortunately, someone has not turned the light on for them. I was one of those students, struggling with average grades, no idea where I was going, etc. I found my own reason as a senior and then in expanded in college. I don't know what started it but it worked for me. I think back on those times and wonder how much a student could accomplish if only that spark was received at a younger age. First does deliver that spark. Whether in FLL, FTC, or FRC (even VEX, BEST and the other programs as well), a student can find something of interest even if it has nothing to do with a robot. That little spark, working as a team, working towards a common goal, having some direction, getting some satisfaction out of completing a project will pay off later on. My goal is not to build a winning robot, it is to get students to see what is possible by building a robot. My rewards are watching as each student gets the acceptance letters from the colleges that they hope to attend. One of my best ever moments in FIRST took place at the Midwest Regional when a student received an email on his phone that he had been accepted to MIT. You know that Target commercial that is running now where they show students getting the word, well that was what it was like in the pits that day. Everyone was able to participate in his success and were there to congratulate him. That is what we should live for.