[Jay Trzaskos]

***Note, this post may result in an of topic ramble, consider yourself warned***


As Rich mentioned I was down watching Galileo long after the New York alliance of 1126, 229, and 191 was defeated. Was I disappointed? Of Course, who wouldn't be, but the memories I have from AFTER witnessing our alliance loosing to the 1712 alliance are the ones that are engraved deepest in my mind.

Cheering on team 65 and being welcomed with open arms by their pit crew to watch them compete from the sidelines. Finally being able to watch 148 and 177 in action on Newton, catching a glimpse of 121 on Curie and watching one of the most controversial matches of the year on the same field.

Walking the Georgia Dome floor with the likes of Joel Johnson, JVN, Karthik Kangasabapathy, and Paul Copioli. Watching match after match and talking about anything and everything.

Talking to Ken Patton between matches about teams, strategies, and robots before watching Huskie Brigade compete. Having Rich Kressly want a picture with me! Joking around with some of the greatest minds in FIRST about that one time 229 let me plan out our strategy against 65…

Being so excited about 65 scoring a spoiler, which eventually decided the match, that I jumped into their cart and cut my leg open. Then holding my wound to stop it from bleeding until the score showed and I could go to the first aid station. Then hearing 2228, Cougar Tech, cheer for me as I walked to the first aid station, trying not to bleed on the Georgia Dome floor.

These are the things that I will remember most about my trip to Atlanta Georgia. These are also the things that remind me why I am a part of FIRST. FIRST is about people and how they work to inspire those around them. Simply standing there on the Georgia Dome floor and being accepted by multiple teams and individuals without question; that is a feeling that gives me chills and a feeling that could inspire anyone.

I could sit here and tell you that I’m disappointed that my last competition on team 229 didn’t end as well as I could have hoped and it wouldn’t be a total lie. But this competition was far from disappointing. Even though I am not going to a college with a FIRST Program, I already have a few places I may be mentoring. Even if I don’t mentor a team, I will always know that as long as I can make it to a regional, there will be a team there that will welcome me to join for a few days.