[CommanderRachek]

It was illuminating to get the perspective of a mentor from Steve Wherry, but I still have a few beefs. The main problem I have is that you (and a great many other people) seem to be of the opinion that high schoolers need to be led by the hand. By the time you are sixteen or so years old, you ought to be able to make reasonable decisions regarding where to put your efforts. If someone on our team couldn't make those decisions wisely, our Fearless Leader would no doubt take him or her aside and give them some friendly advice, but it is ultimately not his decision and he knows that. I highly, highly, highly doubt that he would tell someone he was not welcome in the shop because of their grades alone. In fact, he is somewhat of a specialist in accepting kids regardless of their grades.

Originally Posted by Steve Wherry

I guess that I am a little taken back by some of the short-sighted statements of students who represent a school prior to representing the FIRST team (whether you like it or not).

The way I see it, I only represent my school as much as I wish to, which varies somewhat according to the context. Within the context of FIRST, I feel that I represent my team far more than I represent my school. After all, it was my team, not my school, who built our robot.

Originally Posted by Steve Wherry

Common statements have been, "Well I am bored and do not want to do homework, but FIRST interests me and allows me to grow."

What's wrong with that?

Originally Posted by Steve Wherry

Students who get an F or two D's are suspended from our team until the next progress report. If FIRST is that important to them, then they will get there head on straight and play the game.

Why is it that it is the student who has to "get there head on straight"? Why not the teachers and administrators who are barring this kid from doing something he likes and is good for him? If some student is a major player on a FIRST team, he's probably not just some lazy jerk. It could be his grades aren't his greatest priority, or it could be he's just not very good at the game and would have to devote all his time to school in order to get even a C average.

Originally Posted by Steve Wherry

In most professions, employees at times have to complete tasks that seem to have no purpose.

So, what, I should waste my time now, too? If I wanted to do that, I'd organize my bottle cap collection.

Originally Posted by Salik Syed

And I see where you are coming from when you say that not everyone has to have the same goals to be successful. That is often the viewpoint many teens have ... that "I don't want to get good grades, I don't want to cave to socities standards, I want enjoy life blah blah blah."
But the fact is ultimately you will become a member of society and so you have to (somewhat) cave into societies standards of success (getting a high GPA etc.)

I'm not saying I don't have to contribute to society; I think everyone has a number of duties to human civilization as a whole, one of which is to do something productive with your life. The trick is finding something you love to do that is also useful. For example, I love to play the banjo, but I could never forgive myself if all I did was sit around on my porch and play "Cripple Creek." It would be hugely unfair to everyone who has fed, clothed, and educated me, and who have provided clean water and decent health care and safe streets, etc. However, if I was to become a music teacher, for instance, and teach other people to play and love the banjo, that would be a different story.

Originally Posted by Salik Syed

Certainly no one will argue that being wealthy in and of itself is a BAD thing

Actually, some people would, but they're crazy.

Originally Posted by Salik Syed

You say it now that you don't want money and fancy cars and just want to enjoy life. I'm not saying money is the key to happiness... what I am saying is: Why sell yourself short? Why cut off those possibilities? Ask the people who are flipping burgers for a life if they would want a fancy car and a big house. Perspectives change as you get older, just remember you don't know the answer to everything... especially not the meaning of life

Forgive me if I came across as if I thought I knew everything. I know I don't, and I'm glad. It would be kind of annoying if I did. Everyone would always be asking me stuff. What I do know is that it's nuts to deliberately spend your whole life wishing you were doing something else, and that that applies even when you're in high school.