[vhcook]

Now that I'm home and able to form complete sentences again, thanks to everyone for an amazing regional.

We're all giddy and still slightly startled about the Chairman's win. Our students really put their hearts into it, and I'm so proud of them. I'm also incredibly proud of our Dean's List Finalist, Izzy Lloyd.

Thanks to 1706 for picking us and 3666 for being a great alliance partner. It was a pleasure working with both of you, and our alliance put up a heck of a fight. Hopefully we'll get a chance to try it again sometime.

Congratulations to the regional winners 16, 3937, and 4500 and to the finalists 2992, 4522, and 4090. You played some amazing matches, and I know it was a really emotionally charged result for everyone involved.

I'd also like to congratulate the Memphis teams for persevering in spite of everything. I was one of the inspectors that stayed late on Thursday to help, and I could see you were all completely exhausted after the ice storm and a rough trip in, but you kept working. It was a delight to see you all make it to the field Friday morning. I hope your bus driver is all right and that you've had a safe trip home.

Congratulations to 5259 on my favorite robot of the event. The leg lamp was a brilliant idea and a fairly accurate kicker. I smiled every time I saw it.

Thanks to Harding University and the regional planning committee for a very well run event. The new venue is great, and hopefully we'll be able to come back many times.