[Rich Kressly]

The NJ Regional and Gracious Professionalism are synonomous with one another. Maybe that's why so many quality programs return year after year and the rookies are so well supported. Just off of the top of my head:

88 - Where do you start? Here's a team that makes the long trek to NJ when they could play closer to home. The enthusiasm, the tie-dye, always having a good time and exemplifying the true FIRST spirit year in and year out, on and off the field. Liz Calef comes forward to read the Woodie Flowers announcement. Just a class act all the way around.

25 - Hawaiian shirts, killer machine, champion of the "Rookies in Need of Support" effort, always willing to lend a hand, volunteer at an event, and share knowledge. How many teams in the region can say that have not been touched in some way by 25 and Wayne Cokeley?

11 - Bill McGowan and MORT have been turning kids onto FIRST at the LEGO level in HUGE numbers for years ... and somehow they find the time to build their own quality machine and be very competitive every time.

102 - Even in the midst of financial difficulties they find a way to be extrememly competitive and so easy to work with. Being "pit neighbors" with this crew has been awesome over the years. The'll burn your motors out in a match and help you replace them 10 minutes later.

87- Working with Diablo as an alliance partner is so easy and so much fun. Why? Quality people and great machines. Congrats on the silver medal.

365 - MOE, the green, and the awards they hand out have always been cool and it's fortunate that they chose to travel to NJ this year. John Larock and the kilt crew run a very efficient and uniqely inspiring team.

303 - What an awesome team. Always modest, always helpful. It's great to see them win it all.

So many more to talk about so little time:
173 - cool "poem" and a great competitor
195
237
224
...

on and on ....... these are the stories and reasons FIRST is so cool to be around.