[Josh Hambright]

Great question Amanda.

My first 2 years in first, i was always nervous talking to people from other teams. We had a little get together with the technokats my first 2 years and i can remeber how it was sorta awkward becasue my team wasn't very social with other teams but we still had a pretty good time. Then this year i have been able to meet alot of great people and forge friendships that i hope last beyond my involvement in FIRST (which i hope is nowhere near over yet!) I attribute much of this to my presence here on chiefdelphi as well as the fact that i am much more confident now. Up until this year my team still felt like rookies, i think alot of that was caused by the fact that the teams our team was always around and doing things with were teams like 45, 71 and 68, and we always felt like we were nowhere near as established and successful as they were. But after winning alot of spirit awards, sportsmanship awards, an imagry award, a chairmans award and doing well in competition this year and in offseason competions in the last 2 years we finaly realized this year that we aren't rookies anymore. I know that Cart from my team took missy from 135 to the prom and John (the base driver for 461) took a member of 234. I have been able to talk to people alot easier now and i have no problem walking upto someone and talking to them at a first competition now.

FIRST friendships are great. Amanda and i talk on the phone almost every night, and we dont just talk about FIRST but our discussions cover all sorts of topics. And now i have friends on alot of the indiana teams and the indiana teams have become a very strong community that is willing to help each other out and we all get along great.


I have befriended all sortsa people through first. From Engineers like Bob Evoy, Darrell Noble, and Andy Baker. To teachers like the teachers on my team Mr. Florence and Mr. VonWerder. And numerous students i cant even begin to count. And alot of college kids like Amanda on 1020, Kevin on 1064 and all the purdue kids on my team. All of these people are amazing, and continualy impress me and drive me to be a better person. Plus they are just fun to talk to. Picking the brain of anyone involved in FIRST can often lead to stimulating conversation.

I've said it before and i'll say it again FIRST changed my life and probably to a large amount saved me from going down a path that wasn't healthy and could have lead to me not being here anymore. Without the people and friends i have met through first i dont think that i would be the person i am now.
Thats just about all i have to say about that...

FIRST Friends 4eva!