[Donut]

The first competition I ever saw was the Arizona Regional in 2003. Our family was good friends with the family of one of the members, and he had been telling me about it and getting me all excited about it, so we came down to see him. I only came for part of Saturday though, so while I finally I got to see these big robots and all these crazy dancing people wearing costumes (I distinctly remember team Cryptonite and 64's Gila Dance there), it didn't prepare me at all for what attending a full regional would be like next year.

2004's Regional was my first true experience since I was there the whole time. We managed to make it to the finals and lose in two to 330's alliance, but we got Sportsmanship, an invitation to Nats, and an award from team 60 (who we all looked up to), so I just loved the whole thing. Ever since coming that close I've wanted to push our robots further and shoot for more.

FIRST competitions are just amazing. I can see why some people would be lost to alot of what is going on if they only come for part of one day, but I honestly think you'd have to walk around with a blindfold and earplugs to be there for a whole competition and not get hooked.