[J Flex 188]

Wow.

Its not often that I start a thread with a single word, but in this case that is all I can say to express my sincerest thoughts and gratitude towards this incredible team, its students, teachers and supporters. Team 188 arrived at High Tech High on the campus of Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, California around 930 on Tuesday March 29th. We travelled from LAX in big white 15 passenger vans and were first greeted by the welcome sight of Miss Wooten wearing our familiar red and white jersey. From High Tech High, we were met with open arms by our billets for the next week. We had a chance to tour one of the most impressive high schools I have ever been in and an even more impressive robotics design lab. More on that later.

The very next day, we met up bright and early and travelled with team members of 22 to Venice Beach for a day of unwinding from travelling and a taping of the "Best $@#$@#$@#$@# Sports Show Period" at FOX studios in Los Angeles. It ended up being an adventure for our teachers to drive in L.A. traffic, but they handled it admirably. All the while, the parents of the 22 team members kept us well stocked with lunches, water, drinks and good humour. The next three days were occupied with the So. Cal. Regional Competition, which was an experience to say the least. It was interesting to see a West Coast style of play, with heavy defence but little to no penalties. The tone was set for the regional when we ended up facing 22 in our first qualification match and dropped tetras in spectacular fashion from our gripper because of a loose pneumatic hose. Although this regional was by far our worst performance as an individual team, we were picked by the alliance of 1622 and 1452 and moved into the semi finals where we were defeated in a convincing fashion by the eventual winners of 69 330 and 634. However, what I am getting at is the fact that when 22 qualified for the finals with 980 and 968, our entire team, comprised of some 17 students and 5 mentors went absolutely nuts and ran down to the field to cheer them on. No wasted moments of sadness on our elimination, no hesitation, we just went straight to the field and yelled as loud as we could. It was an amazing sight to see members 22 and 188 jointly yelling out cheers ranging from "Pablo!" (22's base driver) to "Go Blue Alliance". Never have I felt such a strong connection with another team then I did at that very moment.

After the competition we went to Universal Studios City Walk and enjoyed a dinner with members of 22 and headed off for the night. The next day we were blown away by Disneyland and the generosity of Team 22 as they paid dinner and admission. In fact, it seemed that wherever we went 22 absolutely had to pay for everything, though I know for certain, at one point our team refused to let this continue.

Another experience was had on Monday when 188 attended High Tech High and was treated to one of the most innovative and technologically advanced schools that any of us had ever seen. Yet the students and everyone else who was a part of 22 remained as down to earth as any of us or any one else in FIRST. The evening ended with a potluck dinner and a presentation of Team 22 shirts and caps to 188 members (they were already decked out in 188 gear before hand). We were officially inaugurated as members of Team 22 in full. I am still reeling from the trip, as we got back midnight last night.

It was as if we could pick up with everyone right where we left off last year. When they arrived last year, Team 22 was a friendly bunch of strangers. When they left, they were a welcome group of partners in FIRST. This year when we left, they were our best friends and a model of the very values that FIRST stands to bring out in young people today. Despite the thousands of kilometers separating us, I have personally never felt the impact of FIRST more so than I have with our relationship with Team 22. It was a brilliant idea on the part of them to invite us into this program last year and I sincerely hope that it continues as long as both our teams are involved. Indeed, it was an absolutely amazing way to "cap" off my last year in robotics as a high school student. All of the members of 22 will be dearly missed. We had hoped to qualify for Atlanta and compete and cheer with you guys there, but that isn't happening. Fear not, for you will be back next year and we can start things up again.

On behalf of the entire Team 188, I sincerely thank the entirety of Team 22 for putting up with this rowdy group of Canadians down south and for providing us with a welcome respite from the (somewhat) frozen north.

I leave one clue for the future. Never have I been more excited at the prospect for our team in terms of advancing our resources.