Quote:
Originally posted by M. Krass
Question of the Week, for real, 06-08-03: What non-robotics related things do you do with your team? How far to FIRST friendships really go?
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FIRST friendships go a long way.
Team Hammond is a very close and personal team. An awful lot of alumni and current members keep in touch, and even us that went off with other teams always know where our home is. The parents and bot boosters that are involved with the team are like our second moms and dads - and people we can always go to for advice or just to chitchat.
Last year, we used to round up the team and go to karaoke Sunday nights, but after a while, we were all tired of it. We all go places together - golfing, movies, out for pizza, parties, you name it. Although the 2001 team has spread out a little bit, almost all of the 2002 members keep in contact. I honestly don't think I could have gotten though this year without wisdom and support of all of my fellow team members. I've learned so many valuable life lessons that I carry with me every day and tried to pass on to my team. One of my favorites came from Mr. Bill Beatty - "We'll win our share" - and I kept that in mind all through this rocky year (and indeed, 1020 won their share).
Outside of 71 last year, I've met so many great people through FIRST that I'm priveleged to say that I know. Chris Noble is one of the few that can always help me to regain my sanity (but beat me up at any given time); Josh Hambright is my 'gentle giant' and one of my great friends whom I can talk to about anything (although most of the time we talk about FIRST, of course); Andy Baker is one of the most courteous and generous people I've had the pleasure of meeting, Jeremy McAnally is a wonderful person who generally cares about other people and always lent me a helping hand. There are so many more that stick out in my mind, and still others I'm waiting to meet at this year's IRI.
I'm very passionate about FIRST, and even moreso when it comes to the friendships forged through it.