[Andy A.]

I have to be honest-

I started this high school, and now, two years after and well into college, I'm still doing it.

It's not because I really believe this is good for kids (I do), or because I want to keep making new friends (I am), or because I want to keep learning more about science and engineering in ways I never will be able to in school (I have and will). It's really because I just love the competition. I love the challenge. It got in my blood years ago and I just want to play the only game that's ever really satisfied my competitive side.

I never was able to take part in sports in high school for medical reasons. I never had an outlet for competitive energy till FIRST came along. I just love the feeling of having a really competitive 'bot, working under pressure in the pit to get something fixed in 2 minutes, and most of all, I enjoy working with people whom I consider the best team in FIRST, team 95.

So FIRST to me represents some selfish drives. I appreciate all the good it's done and doing for the students. Certainly it did all that and more for me- I wouldn't be in the college I am if not for FIRST. But, the real deep down reason I keep coming back again and again even when I know there are more important things on my plate is that I just love the game(s). If I wasn't doing this, I don't know what other game I could be playing where I get to work with so much cool technology, cool people, and cool opportunities to do things no one else gets to.

Maybe I'm just a washed up driver who can't let go. But I love it.

-Andy A.