[Barry Bonzack]

I have been to three high schools.

My Junior year, at Saint Cloud high School was my first year involved in FIRST. I heard an announcement that they were starting a new robotics team, so I hopped on what became team 1390 and then forced my friends to get involved as well. During my junior year there was a new school being reconstructed equal distance from my house in the new town of Harmony. My house, as well as my friends' houses, were all rezoned for Harmony High School, however the incoming seniors had a choice of where they could go to school.

After toiling with the choice for some time, I think my final decision maker was after the Championship last year, I could only stay for the first two days and then had to come back home to Florida at watched the rest over webcast. I knew where I had to go after hearing Dean's speech and his homework assignment was to "start new teams." My friends and I from 1390 that were zoned for Harmony (3 seniors) decided to go.


My freshman and Sophomore years I spent in Bartlesville Oklahoma. Currently there is no FIRST team there, however I have given speeches last summer and plan to do so again this summer. I am working with other FIRSTers in Oklahoma to get a team going in my old school. It is great that I have been given the opportunity to do all the things and meet all the people I have, but I feel it is important to bring back experiences and try to share with the people in one's hometown. After all, Dean's homework this year again is to "start new teams."