[EvilInside]

Well, I feel I have to add my two cents. I, though a veteran of FIRST and team leader, have a major focus on winning. I have a major focus on the competition, because that is where everyone who worked so hard on their robot gets to see the culmination(sp?) of their efforts. I worry about the awards, because there are a few people I've talked to that wouldn't be nice to other teams, wouldn't be helpful to other teams, if they didn't get an award out of it. Now, even though I focus on my "beloved" competition, that doesn't mean that I don't understand the spirit of FIRST. Quite on the contrary. If any of the rookie teams wanted a little help, a little advice, I would be more than happy to help. I'm not going to pretend to be this good and perfect person, and pretend that I "look past the competition" because I don't. I have a competitive attitude towards life in general, and the competition is where I feel most at home at. Now, don't get me wrong, if asked I would probably spend more time helping out in other teams pits than my own, but that is because the more competitive other teams are the more fun the competition is, and if I can help out someone else, if I can make a small difference in improving the attitude of someone else, I feel better too. Now, we all have championed FIRST in many different ways and places, but how many of us believe it? I do, to a degree, but lately when I talk to a reporter for the local newspaper, my championing of FIRST sounds pretty canned. Because it really is. FIRST is great the way it is, we don't NEED to talk about how great it is. Talking does nothing except maybe help out your concience a bit. Saying FIRST is great doesn't mean it is, just like sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken. FIRST is great whether or not people say out loud it is, because just being a part of it is tribute enough.