[Jason Kixmiller]

I feel that FIRST is torn by the trends of development. How do you keep established/successful teams from becoming complacent while still keeping new teams encouraged? Learning is a very important aspect of FIRST, however, school boards, sponsors, and even some mentors can easily fall into the trap of using competitive success as a benchmark for the team’s achievement. I feel that it is FIRST’s intention to make learning and inspiration the primary achievements, while it is human nature to place competition at the forefront.

So what is the answer? I don’t believe there is an answer that can be recorded in <RULE> format. Life (and FIRST competition/philosophy) is comprised of grey areas; however, the competitive drive of teams is forcing FIRST to define every aspect imaginable. It is my personal feeling that FIRST has been most successful when the “code” of Gracious Professionalism can stand on its own… will there be specific twists and manipulations of this unwritten rule? Yes, but there will always be controversies, and it really seems that with more specific rules come more frustrated individuals. I respect each member of any FIRST team that is truly trying to help students…how they choose to do so is up to them.