[Waynep]

Thank you for all of your kind words. Bill to be saluted by a representative of MOE we are truly honored. 710 was an amazing alliance captain last year, I cannot thank you for having belief in my students. We were sorry that we wound up with problems during the QFs, but would love to run with you guys again. Joe, I cannot say enough good things about Sparky we still talk about how much we miss going down to Virginia and competing with y'all. Hope all of your teams are doing well, best of luck at your regionals and we will be looking forward to seeing you again at the Championship. Now let me tell you a couple of other things regarding this T/O:

This isn't the first time we've done this. Last year at NYC we were the #1 alliance captain also. In the finals the opposing alliance had their star capper, team 38, break its tetra capture mechanism. We wanted to see them play their best so we called the T/O. Our students have also taken note of the other instances of GP that they've witnessed on and off the field. Let's just say at Pittsburgh and Virginia they learned from some of the very best. Right before finals, I was busy as the Emcee talking with the event coordinators to see if we were going to go to awards first or continue running finals. One of my students comes over and tells me, well our rookie alliance partner through a chain, we can fix it, but I think the other alliance captain (393 FMJ that rocked) could really use a timeout. I gave him the nod, and he went over to the head referee, the wonderful Carol Perotto, and requested the T/O for the other alliance. These are the moments that we all strive for in FIRST as mentors, as participants, and as teammates when our students understand the true meaning of FIRST and that winning isn't everything. We knew that the fully running #2 alliance would put up a pretty even match. I don't think we had more fun and were ever more friendly with the opposing alliance in the finals than here at Pittsburgh. Doo doo doo-ing it with 393. Jeremiah thanks for the Bull Whip lesson btw.

Other instances of GP at Pitts. 1708 Natural Selection, was drafted for the elimination rounds to the alliance of 63 and 1708. 1708 was having problems and could also not pass inspection. The Red Barons and MOE, furiously worked to help this second year team following alliance selections to hopefully get them running. Regretfully, they couldn't so they requested a substitution. Even while running eliminations, members of both teams continued to work with 1708, right before the awards Ceremony some of the students came over to me from the alliance with smiles on the face and said we did it 1708s up and running and ready for their next competition. I'd also like to give a shout out to Mike Dischner of 1708, for receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award. I met him last year when his team was a rookie and cannot believe the progress he and his team has made. As a second year team, they are already mentoring rookie teams and spreading the word of FIRST. Mike thank you for your hard work, keep it up!

The Miracle Workerz are an amazing team. They truly deserved the WFA and Chairman's Award. Guys I'm rooting for you at the Championship! They routinely offered parts, assistance, expertise, and tools to countless teams. When my team had a bent axle and could not compete in one of the Qualifying Matches with them they said that's alright we understand it happens, and following the match one of the mentors came over to our pit to check up and see if he could lend a hand. During the eliminations I thought of them as the universal pit crew. It did not matter what alliance it was if there was anything they could lend or do for a team they did it. 1743 is still very appreciative for what you did for them.

I'm sure there were countless other stories that were not told, and I might post more as I think of them. But thank you again to those here on CD that have taken the time to acknowledge my team. We're very appreciative. I'll pass the word along to my students, not all of them have regular computer access. Best of luck to all of the teams. I hope to hear more stories of GP from your teams at the other regionals and at the Championship!

Best,
Wayne