[KathieK]

A HUGE thank you to the 60 or so volunteers and 30 teams who braved the elements to come out to Manchester High School yesterday! And to all the teams who helped us out in the last few weeks preparing for the event! And my hats off to our awesome planning committee - we have met weekly since last August to make yesterday's event happen. Your dedication to the FTC program is outstanding.

We ran a bit late all day due to our delayed opening, so I know some of you didn't get home until the wee hours... but the competition turned out great (at least, from my standpoint)! You are all to be congratulated for your accomplishments over the last several months!

And the winners are:
FIRST Tech Challenge Championship Tournament Volunteer of the Year: Mike Betts
Amaze Award: Team 97 MURT, Mansfield, CT
Motivate Award: Team 40, Peligon, Windsor, CT
Innovate Award: Team 175, Checkmate, Manchester, NH
Think Award: Team 1, Unlimited, Sharon, MA
Connect Award: Team 6, Driven Nuts, Broomall, PA

The Finalist Alliance: Team 655, Rhode Rage, Middletown, RI; Team 6, Driven Nuts, Broomall, PA; Team 381, Rosie's Lil Sis, Agawam, MA

The Winning Alliance: Team 4, Driven Bolts, Brick, NJ; Team 175, Checkmate, Manchester, NH; 662, Brooklyn Mustangs, Brooklyn, NY

The Inspire Award: Team 4, Driven Bolts, Brick, NJ