[Justin]

I think VEX is a great program and has been a positive experience for those involved. From what I saw of the VEX event at the UTC Regional fun was had by all most importantly the kids involved. I like the teams that have used VEX as something for their younger members to be the stars of, to often Freshman and Sophomores are pushed to the outsides of well established FIRST teams not intentionally but it is often hard to break-in VEX gives them something they can own.

Secondly, Radio Shack is a business. They have to be realistic about it. I heard a story of some people going to but a VEX kit and the Radio Shack guys bragging that they were the sales leader in the state after they had sold one kit. Radio Shack is also in trouble financially and they need to turn a profit unfortunately, to our dismay, VEX isn't helping them do that. At UTC I talked to a few people in the know in regards to VEX and FIRST in general and without saying more than I should I think that we can all reasonably and safely assume that VEX, or some future form of it, is not gone forever.

Justin