[LSevcik]

Andrew,

I am replying regarding the regional in Houston, Texas. In 1998 there was a regional in Houston, it was held at Space Center Houston and 22 teams competed. The Southwest regional was a pilot regional to grow FIRST in other areas of the country. The regional did not return in 1999 due to the lack of local sponsorship dollars. The Houston teams that registered in 1999 had to travel to other regionals to compete. The closest one was the Florida regional. Team 57 competed in Florida in 1999.

Since the Texas teams had no place to compete, Steve Alaniz and myself decided to approach FIRST about having a regional in Houston. That's how we became volunteer regional directors. With the help of BP, ExxonMobil and NASA sponsorship the Lone Star Regional was born.

The Southwest regional didn't sound like it fit an event that was Texas size. Someone had mentioned to me that Texas was the Lone Star State. I ran this name up the flag pole and everyone loved it. So, thus it became the Lone Star Regional.

The coolest thing about the Lone Star Regional is that back in 1999/2000 it was a grassroots volunteer effort that made this regional happen. I hope this helps.

Lucia Sevcik, Regional Director