[rhinobot]

Here's my $0.02

It would have been cool of FIRST to ask what we thought before taking drastic measures like this....and I tried to see this the way FIRST is, but I cant, this is ridiculous.

FIRST has been going downhill, ever since they stopped allowing Grade 12's to compete for Dean's List and removed robot contact (This game has grown on me however, the can race is super fun to watch. Not hating on Recycle Rush). Now they want to take the Competition out of FIRST Robotics Competition.

A quote my old team always used to use was "Winning isn't everything, wanting to win is". You cant strive to be the best if you know you never can be, no matter how hard you try.

The goal is to inspire the kids and help promote STEM in them. You cant do that by taking away the drive. If you don't teach the kids to want to do better in robotics (and then life) then how are they ever going to succeed? Everyone can't be the best, life's not like that. They can however, try as hard as they possibly can, then go home happy with everything they have accomplished that season...and strive to be better next season. When they work super hard and finally make it to champs, they will know what success feels like.

Its been said before but the competition is what brings people to FIRST. I personally do not like what FIRST is becoming. Don't get me wrong, change is great....but the cons of this change greatly outweigh the pros. However I would love to be proven wrong. At the end of the day, if the kids are inspired and want to do better (win or lose) then its a good day, I just don't want them to lose the spark.

My views do not in any way represent my team. They are uniquely my own.