Posted by Justin.
Other on team Blue Lightning Alum from RWU sponsored by FIRST-A-holics Anonymous.
Posted on 4/14/2000 4:05 PM MST
In Reply to: The Transition posted by Kate on 4/14/2000 12:52 PM MST:
Hello All,
Kate's post got me thinking about my expirence this year. Last year I was a member of Team Bluelightning. Then I left my HS and went off to a college with no FIRST team. But like the true FIRST-A-Holic I found ways to remain involved with FIRST. I worked at the Kickoff in January for the FIRST time and toured Dean's house. Both incredible expirences that I hadn't had during my time on the team.
During the few days after Kickoff I worked with Blue Lighting at there brianstorming sessions this time seeing the team with a totally new perspective, from the 'advisor' side. Things are much different on the otherside of the fence I will say that. And it only makes me respect what all the teachers and engineers in all of FIRST put into their teams.
When Christmas break was over I returned to college and kept in touch with a few contacts on the team via E-mail. Then I returned to Blue Lightning for ship date and spent almost my entire 3day President's day weekend at the shop with my good friend Tom and the shop guys, just like old times...only now in theory we were acutally the shop guys.
Next came competitions on the web and I watched all of them I could scream and yelling during the finals I had members of my dorm wondering if I was okay. Finally after what seemed like ages the wait was over I was going to Conneticut to see the game up close. I was anything but dissappointed Blue Lighting came in 2nd to my other favorite Manchester, NH team CHAOS. It was a great comp and I got to spend time with friends who had been a part of FIRST (shout out to Kate
A week later I was back at college watching the Nationals on the FIRST. This is when not being offically on a team hit me the hardest. For 3 years of HS I had traveled to FL with Blue Lightning for the Nationals. Now...I was forced to watch it in a tiny box on my computer's desktop...the expirece well it 'inhaled audibly'. Instead of being there hanging out with all my friends from FIRST (many of whom are new to this year) I was reduced to calling out to myself 'Hey I know that person!' It was great to watch the comp. but the Nationals to me have always been about so much more then the actual comp. it's about the atmosphere that many people that are like me in one place is a great thing, something I missed sorely. Hopefully I will be able to follow through on my vow never to repeat that expirence. I _will_ be in Epcot next year.
I envy those who went to a college with a FIRST team and those with the guts to start a team at their school. Hopefully I will be able to work with the folks from Naval Undersea and be part of a team once again. It was a much difference expinence for me but despite not being on a team I still like to consider myself as having participated in FIRST this year and as part of the difference that FIRST is making in the lives of all 15,000 people at the Epcot areana. And it continues and will continue to make a difference in my life for a long time to come I've no doubt.
That was my expirence.
Sincerely,
Justin