[Arefin Bari]

Sometimes I sit down and think what FIRST really is about? Is it about 1000 teams going against each other at the competition or is it about working together? I have been asking myself this question since I was a freshman in High school. I used to be with team 108, a team with a great resources and engineers. I was so used to it. But after graduating from high school, I made the decision to help a team without any resources or engineers. Team 1345 works with a drill, drill press, bandsaw, jigsaw, and a belt sander. It was a big change for me to not to work with a mill and lathe this season, but it was surely a lot of fun to work with team 1345. One of my mentors always tell me to think and make it simple. That's what I told this team, and thats what we came up with. A very simple working robot. But it wouldn't have been possible without few teams.

Throughout the season, there are few teams who have helped us and let us get through the 2006 build season. Team 179, team 237, team 269, team 303, team 1065, and team 1251... thank you. All of these teams were there for us. They have donated wheels, shafts, bearing blocks that came in the kit of parts. We wouldn't have been able to get through the season without you guys.

On behalf of the Platinum Dragons, I would like to thank you and let you know that we really appreciate you.