Thread: Question: What was the first FIRST competition you attended?
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Unread 14-11-2004, 17:20
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Karthik Karthik is offline
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Re: Question: What was the first FIRST competition you attended?
1998 Great Lakes Regional.

I was a senior in High School and a member of the first ever Canadian team in FIRST, Team 188. Back in the day, your team didn't actually have to compete in a regional competition. So our only event of the season was the National Championship at EPCOT center. It was our spring break, so a few of decided to drive down to Michigan to do some scouting. We braved a huge snow and ice storm to get there. It was quite the ordeal.

I was shocked by the quality of the teams and magnitude of the event. Having no experience with FIRST, I was picturing robots at level more comparable to a science fair. Boy was I wrong. I was awestruck by the engineering excellence displayed by the team, especially 111 and 47 (when I fell in love with crab drive). Seeing the energy displayed by all the fans, the music and the general "Super Bowl" like field, well I was hooked.

The other thing that really struck me, was how friendly everyone was. I'd never been to such a large competition of any kind, where teams were actually helping their opponents. It was a wonderful thing to see.

There really is nothing quite like your first FIRST competition. As much as people describe it, they can't capture all the little things that come together to make it so unique.
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:: Karthik Kanagasabapathy ::
"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm" -- R.W. Emerson
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Full disclosure: I work for IFI and VEX Robotics, and am the Chairman of the VEX Robotics and VEX IQ Game Design Committees
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