[Joel J]

I'll just say one thing with little (read: no) explanation.. I honestly don't like the way many individuals in this thread are explaining the goal of FIRST. Perhaps their view (like in Dean's speech, for example, since he founded FIRST) is correct; however, it is VERY different from the messages put across some schools and sponsors in an effort to start or maintain current teams; it is also very different from the "idea of FIRST" told some high school students/college students/engineers to allow them to become part of this organization; it is very different from what I was told coming into this program. In watching the last four kickoffs, and being part of this organization for a little while, I have come to see and understand the true purpose of FIRST, or so I thought. Elite organization? Never saw or believed that would be coming....