[Rachel Lim]

First, I understand your frustration, but please try to calm down. If/when you approach someone on your team about this, whether it's a mentor, a teacher, a parent, or other students, it will be easier for everyone to communicate if you can explain your concerns logically.

Now for some possible solutions:

1. Talk to adults on your team. Have you explained the situation to any mentors/teachers? Often, any real change in team values need to come from (or at least be encouraged by) the adults in a team. If they agree with you, they may be able to help you push your team in a new direction. If they disagree or don't really care, it will be difficult to change your team, but at least you will know where they stand on the issues you'd like to address.

2. Talk to other students on your team. Are there other students that have the same issues with the way your team is run? By working together you'll have more influence (and if it doesn't work, at least you'll know someone else is on your side).

3. List out the main problems you've noticed, and anything that could be influencing them. For example, you mentioned having students sitting around. Are they also unwilling to work if someone directly asks them for a project, or are they just unsure of what they could do? Having a clear list of projects that need to be completed and trying to mix those who know how to lead those projects with those who are still learning makes it easier for everyone to participate. It may also help everyone focus and understand there's always something to do.

4. For competition, have you tried a rotation schedule? My team has a policy of rotating everyone through pit, scouting, and spirit (with a few exceptions) so hopefully no one is stuck with something they really dislike the entire time. Are the freshman and sophomores you mentioned standing around looking for something to do, or are they not interested in working on anything at all? Also, from what I've seen, a well organized scouting team can take lots of people (if you want good statistical data), so that could keep some of your members busy. We generally have one student per team and two other students that organize the sheets for a total of at least 8 scouters at all times.

5. Try doing some offseason projects/events. I've found that by having more offseason projects, students joining have a better idea of what they'll be experiencing during build season. It can also help motivate everyone. And at least for me, it made build season a bit less confusing and meant I could contribute more.

Good luck, and I hope you're able to find a solution.