[Steve W]

What makes FIRST unique in todays society? Is it the robots? Nope there are lots of robotic competitions. Is it money? Nope we don't get any. Why then is FIRST so successful?

First of all those bronze medals are not for performance but are mementos for what has been accomplished. Visual reminders of what has happened and encouragement for what might happen. It is a reminder to each person that they participated in the greatest and largest (I believe) robotics competition. It is a constant reminder of what they can do when they put their mind to something. Are they winners? Depends on your interpretation. If you believe that a winner is the only one that is at the top after competition ends, then no. However if you believe that a winner is one who tries and succeeds in meeting their goals or one who expands their horizons to become a better person, then yes they7 are winners.

Motivation and rewards are the best way to accomplish goals. This is proven over and over in "The Real World". Salesmen get bonuses, athletes get bonuses, executive also get bonuses. If you go 5 years absent free people get awards, 10 years with a company gets you an award, the list goes on and on. FIRST is trying to reward those who make the effort. Is everything fair and running perfectly? probably not but those things can be fixed. They are still attempting to encourage and promote.

One thing that I have noticed when standing in the line to congratulate the winners is that there are very few people that are not grinning from ear to ear. If they thought that it was such a cheap thrill or meaningless I don't think that this reaction would be seen. People love to be recognized for their efforts. Even those that say they don't, still get a warm and fuzzy when they are thanked or recognized. The awards are there to encourage and promote different areas and companies. Oh yes, companies. These companies give a lot and should get some recognition in return. I have no problem with that. Money doesn't grow on trees yet so we need to harvest it were we can. The water that makes the money grow is recognition.

I love to see teams win awards. I love to see the excitement that it brings to a team and individuals. As far as I am concerned we should keep it up or the sake of the future.