[JaneYoung]

Well, I'm back here in Austin, Texas and before I take a nice long nap I want to put some thoughts together for the folks in Florida and those who traveled there to compete.

Orlando is beautiful - I have never been there before. The stars, the palm trees - I got to see a rocket travel up to those beautiful stars. The folks in Orlando are just plain friendly, e-v-e-r-y one. The restaurants are fun, the food is delicious, wonderful.

Meeting so many people from here in CD was so much fun and I am a little scared of saying names because if I forget one, I'll feel bad..but man, you guys are so cool. Watching the teams compete together, dance together, work together was so inspiring. I've been told the Florida Regional rocks - now I'll be spending some time telling others.

I do want to thank 1902 for hosting me. The Austin household is the hub for the team and was a place of very little sleep this weekend and I want to thank Wendy, James, and family for allowing me to be a part of the fun and the spirit of 1902 - a great FIRST team.

It was a total blast volunteering for FIRST at the volunteer check-in table, meeting so many dedicated people who have given time and support to the Florida Regional - some for many years. We distributed several 5 year and 10 year pins to the volunteers.

The one thing I thought about as I left the palm trees and beauty of Florida was all of the mentors' and students' eyes that I looked into. The students' eyes were filled with determination and understanding of what was being asked of them as team. The mentors' eyes were filled with a similar but different understanding and determination. Their eyes reflected their passion for the success of their students who participate in FIRST and their support of all of the teams' efforts. They were warm, wise, and full of humor. All of them.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated in and supported the Florida Regional this weekend.

Jane