[Ginger Power]

Interestingly in my two years as a student on 4607 we were the 23rd pick at a regional of 62 teams in 2013, and the number 2 alliance captain at the Minnesota State Championship in 2014. In 2013 we won the Northstar Regional as that low functioning 3rd robot, and in 2014 lost in the finals at the State Championship. So I've more or less lived the scenario and can speak to how both felt, and the impact both had on 4607.

So in terms of impact on the team and team growth following an event, there is no better thing than winning. Following our 2013 regional win, our community hopped on the bandwagon and hasn't hopped off yet. People who were rooting against us stopped. Sponsors who had already given, gave even more so we could attend the world championship. Not only did winning bolster our community support. It also gave us the ultimate oppurtunity to improve our robot at champs. We didn't really make waves at champs as a rookie team, and 3rd robot, I think we seeded 76th. However, the improvements we made there to our team and robot put us in the perfect position to win the 2013 MN State Championship (again as a 3rd robot).

On the flip side the community reaction to our losing the state championship in 2014 was more subdued. Granted getting second place at State is still going to be celebrated (I would imagine losing in the quarters of a regional would be a much harder sell). Losing the regional, even as a captain, doesn't allow for the team growth that inevitably happens at champs. As much as most of us hate the championsplit, FIRST's reasoning behind it (that Champs is a life changing experience) has validity. It is a life changing event.

With all of that being said, I'm more proud of my team's accomplishment as an alliance captain. When people ask me about my greatest accomplishments in life, the first item on the list, so far, is leading 4607 to that alliance captain role.

TL;DR in terms of team growth and community impact (making it loud), I'll choose winning everytime, regardless of our robot's contribution. In terms of personal feelings of accomplishment I'll choose captain status every time.