[WEHickok]

In January the Heroes Of Tomorrow (HOT) and Frog Force (Team 503) were invited to attend the Detroit International Auto Show. Dean was there as was Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. Dean made the same challenge to her--get FIRST in all Michigan high schools.
I think that Governor Granholm has accepted the challenge. She has met several times with FIRST people to discuss how to get FIRST in the rural schools. She will be attending the Great Lakes Regional this Friday to see firsthand how the competition works. She will meet with four teams to talk to them about how FIRST works for them. There will also be a FLL demo for her to see.
Dean has made these comments for several years, but he now seems to be shifting into high gear.
Our team works closely with State Senator Nancy Cassis. She has been a judge at the Official Michigan FLL Tournament for six years. She has invited our team to address the Senate Education Subcommittee and has allowed us, and Frog Force, to address the entire State Senate.

Keep working on the elected officials. They are looking for ways to encourage science and technology in the schools...and FIRST is a great answer. Write those letters. Set up meetings to go talk to them. Invite them to FIRST events. This is a great way to help FIRST grow.