[bradleym1559]

Our rookie FIRST experience taught us to love learning again.

Team 1559 learned that it takes a team to get things done--not just a few people. This being our first year we had no idea what to expect, but when it came down to the competition we surprised ourselves in how supportive we could be of each other and of other teams.

We have also learned that it is very helpful to make friends with other teams, and that networking is very important. It is better to make friends than to win, and having fun and learning is what FIRST is about--not blowing away the competition.

Furthermore, we surprised ourselves when we saw all we had accomplished in just 6 weeks--and what everybody else could do, too. For all us first-year FIRSTers, this changed our lives, and our futures. I know it changed mine. While our team had a few internal issues (which we sorted out), I think we are still in shock at how amazing the FIRST experience really is. On the bus home after FLRC we were talking about what we need to do next year. We want to go to as many regionals next year as we can afford (this year it was only one) not so much to compete as to take in the atmosphere and meet the people. Oh, who am I fooling? Competing was awesome too!

In short, we learned more in 6 weeks than we have in all our high school careers. We learned about ourselves, about our team, and about gracious professionalism. On behalf of team 1559 I would like to extend a huge thank you and WOW to everyone who makes FIRST possible and all you people on other FIRST teams. We are a part of something so specacularly special...its hard to describe. But then again, all you guys know what I mean. Cogratulations everyone on your success, and see you next year!
If FIRST give us anything, it is vision.