[Justin Stiltner]

We usually do one better than a phone call.. we actually send people to the businesses, while there really is no big company in town, it is the small places that sometimes make the biggest difference. Just because you think you have no engineer doesent mean you dont have a pratical one. From what I have seen sometimes machenists, welders, and others that actually build things every day for a living come up with better ideas, usually much simpler and work better than what some engineers come up with. Partner with the local hardware stores, metal supply houses, ect. If anyone has ever seen the back of our shirts they know who our sponsors are, there are about 20 different logos of most of the businesses that sponsor us, including the Grundy wemens club, Family drug pharmacy, Pal's Electric shop, Ect. None of which are what you would call big businesses, all businesses are usually owned by 1 or 2 people. Yet from all theise supporters we are able to pay for each year, also with our team, the student has to have $0 to participate, the team pays for all food, lodging, ect. That way economic background isnt a restriction on the student. Evean if the student needs a ride to every meeting, we arrange somthing anyone that is willing to put in their time and participate is allowed on the team and gets just as much of a chance as someone that has all the money in the world and a limo to take them everywhere. Sometimes its nice to put stuff like that behind you and finally be on a level playing field with your peers, thats something that many kids never get to experance.
Sorry for the tangent/rant.