[Mark Hamilton]

This is also my fourth year, and I have to say I've seen a noticeable change, especially at nationals. FIRST has gotten so big I think a lot of teams are losing sight of the real goal. Add this in to the fact the pressure is on to qualify for nationals for roughly half the teams. The slow economy is also making life a lot more difficult for a lot of teams. I feel FIRST is going through some pretty strong growing pains right now. The way I see it is the exponential growth we've been seeing will have to slow down a lot eventually (only so much money and high schools to go around). Hopefully the veteran teams (although some of us veteran teams can be taught a lesson or two by the rookies) will be able to help the newer teams get it.