It made my heart soar like a eagle to see GRT back at SVR. When the
Chairman's award was announced, they got the loudest standing ovation I ever heard for any FIRST team, and they deserved it.

The 2006 SVR was the best FIRST event I've ever been to, and that includes
the 2000 National Championship. I admit I was a bit conflicted, having mentored 668 this year and 254 last year. I hope everyone's realized that 668 competed in the finals with a busted ball gun (stripped gears), and 1280 had only three wheels for the final match. In one of the greatest gestures of GP I ever saw, the 254 alliance granted an extra time out so that 1280 could tack on a caster, so they could run on three wheels.

A long time ago, after 254 won an event, I told Mark Leon, "You must be so proud of your team." (254 is the NASA Ames house team). I'll never forget what he said to me. "All of them are my teams!"

I am so proud of all of the teams that competed at SVR(and anywhere else). You guys give me hope for the future of our world.