[LeelandS]

I could appreciate when FIRST encouraged teams to nominate Sophomore and Junior students for the Dean's List award. Dean's List is a great honor and a great asset on a college application. So I understand why FIRST did what it did.

But Dean's List is largely about recognizing a student's contribution to the program. About recognizing a student who poured their soul into the program, to spread FIRST to the community and to generally further the goals of FIRST. This is an award that should be ageless. By limiting to ages, FIRST could be passing over some very deserving seniors.

Encouraging teams to nominate Sophomores and Juniors was a good effort, but forcing teams to do so just seems wrong to me...

That said, I really like the interview process! It'll probably put a bit of extra strain on the judging staff, but I think it'll be worth it. I really like this addition!