Quote:
Originally posted by M. Krass
There's something to be said for luring people in with the promise of a trip to Walt Disney World, then inspiring them to go onto to greater things.
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Amen!
BTW, our trip to Phoenix regional we wanted to follow Chatsworth' example and take a few from each rookie to the trip and our 8th graders. In addition, I couldn't find a videographer from our 2 schools willing to take the trip, so my daughter's friend, a student "pro" videographer from another local high school without a robotics' team, volunteered to go.
School officials suddenly stepped in (hadn't been to meetings for months, altho kept up-to-date with team emails) and said no on any "outsiders" going. They said the jr hi would never approve the students' absence, another high school would never approvee their student's absence to attend our trip, and each "outsiders" student would have to have an accompanying parent cuz of liability.
I got the school's approval of their absences and outsiders' parents joined them on the trip.
Our videographer and his father were wonderful. In Phoenix, inspired by all going on, they bought a vcr to donate to the team and get the "feed". Our high school students said that father videographer was "cool". I let him know they said that.
Back home after Phoenix the student videographer was so impressed with the whole experience he asked to join our team and is editing a variety of videotapes for us (corporate sponsor, recruit new members, californiaconnected.org, ...)
Weeks after Phoenix, guess what I learned.
That father videographer is VP of Northrop Credit Union. *hits hand to head* It never occurred to me to ask what he does for a living. I was appreciating the favor they were doing for us. I didn't want to impose more on them than they were willing to give.
Now a father, a son, a Northrop VP, has been inspired by the FIRST experience.
ps. those 8th graders parents were very inspired too and one especially began to brainstorm about all his connections that could help.
Our students are talking about how Phoenix changed (bonded, inspired) our team hugely for the better.
Thank you Phoenix!