[cooker52]

I notice, scanning through this thread, that people have brought up many reasons for people quiting. Reasons like cost, lack of interest, etc. Another point has been brought up that Dean's goal was to put FIRST into every school.

I would like to bring up one other point. Everyone knows that FIRST stands For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, but I haven't seen someone mention this. No matter who is involved in FIRST, no matter what happens to them, whether they quit because of family issues, because they have a lack of interest or because of anything else, it is rare for FIRST to not full-fill its goal. Every person who interacts with FIRST will always come out with greater knowledge, greater respect, and greater inspiration for science and technology. That is what FIRST is truly about.

So, as people see others quiting for all of their different reasons, and, though it is truly sad to see them go, it is also great to see them have the chance to participate in such an event as FIRST.

If we could keep all of the teams alive and well, and if we could keep every member involved and keep expanding, that would be great. But it is like the circle of life, where nothing is perfect. As new teams and members come into FIRST, other will leave. It is part of this crazy world we live in, where we will never be able to fully control anything and where we can only go with the flow that life drives us in.

I hope I didn't bring anyone down with that last statement of mine.