[Sunshine]

We do not pursue awards, we pursue greatness and the awards follow.

One of my students came up with the above verbiage a few years ago. It has stuck with my team ever since. We attempt to inspire all students to be the best they can be using the robot build season to accomplish those goals. The competition is just one part of the complex puzzle called FIRST but a very important one. As an example, we don't do year round outreach programs just because we want to be world champions. And truth be known, less than 1/2 of our students are involved with the actual building and driving of our bot. Yet close to 40 have been showing up 3 times a week for the last 14 weeks. Why? Because they are all inspired. So, like my students themselves, the answer is complex and not easily defined. They have all found unity, family and purpose through their FIRST experience. And they continue with their excitement because they are all going to the "world" championship. They are proud to tell parents and sponsors that they will be competing against teams from 10 different countries.

For me, as drive coach and founder of the team, I want to see them win because it prolongs the season and the experience. Because I know like all of you that it's the journey not the destination. And I want the journey to last forever. Because I know that as long as they all have that common goal they all learn and grow together. That is the essence of who we are and why we are here.

But rest assured, when you see us in St. Louis our immediate goal is to beat you, get to Einstein and be world winners. I'm not ashamed to say that. It's okay to want to get to the top. And in this case, get to the top of the world. My kids will never have that opportunity again once they leave. And yes, it is a little less inspirational to win a conference than to win a world title. Pursuing greatness has its benefits and being known as world champions is one of them.

For what it's worth, As a side note. My team has been very fortunate to win the world safety award at championship twice. I have heard conversations from students, parents, mentors and alumni that those recognitions will always mean more than a divisional award. Are they wrong? Nope. As I tried stating earlier, it's not a black and white easy answer. It's very complex just like our students. Wouldn't want it any other way.

We do not pursue awards, we pursue greatness and the awards follow.