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Re: Recruiting Girls
Everyone on this thread has had great advice. When I started in FRC as a freshmen, I was the only girl on the team, besides three female mentors. Not only that; my team wasn't associated with my school, so I didn't really know anyone. I might have gotten discouraged if not for their support. I felt out of place and excluded; I will be the first to say that upperclassmen guys are not the best teachers. But I made it past that. Last year I co-founded a team at my school, and we went to Worlds.
It's very important to have mentors who can make everyone feel included. A lot of times - especially in "cliquey" teams - they're the only ones who see students' true potentials if they're on "the outside." I think it's also important to show teammates that there is no reason for them not to be appreciated. If you're promoting yourself as a supportive group and everyone looks like they enjoy it, then people will want to join.
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