[Tonya Scott 476]

Thank you Al, Andy & Barry. Between myself, Ken York (mentor) and Ed & Jean Latimer (Mentors) we have been doing this together since our rookie year 2000. Our dream has been to have a regional in Oklahoma for 8 years. WOW--unbelievable. Countless presentations across the state have really paid off. We went from having 2 teams in the state in 2000, 12 last year, now over 30 teams!!!

As for all the offers to volunteer----We need volunteers badly!!! Please sign up through the VIMS system and our Volunteer Coordinator will be much relieved. If there are any experienced volunteers that would like to come to Oklahoma March 20-22, we need you!!!

Thanks to all of you that have given us advice, and led the way by working hard in your own states, and then sharing best practices with all other FIRST teams. By working together, we can bring FIRST to the forefront of Education and state politics. In order to maintain, or improve, our way of life, we must find different and new ways to educate our kids, and give them unique learning experiences.

We are very happy to host an event in Oklahoma---I can only encourage you to get on our wait list if you want to come. Our goal is for teams to experience "Oklahoma Hospitality".

Congrats to the Kansas City Regional in their 2nd year---they also filled up quickly!! Kansas City was a wonderful regional last year, we hope that our regional goes as well.

Thanks again to everyone that has helped us (and there are a lot of you) We particulary want to thank our Houston friends---the Houston Regional has been our 2nd home, with many incredible experiences and memories. It is most unfortunate that the Oklahoma Regional and Houston Regional are the same weekend.

Thanks everyone

Tonya