[galewind]

The way I see a regional competition as a celebration of all of our hard work. It's a big party with excitement, competition, cooperation, and prizes. Thousands of individuals commit an enormous amount of time and energy into getting everyone to perform the same task (in different ways), and we learn from each other and take so much from the program.

Dancing together is another way to celebrate as a group, and I think it's something that should be encouraged because it helps bring people together, and that's a large part of FIRST's mission. Hearing the word "professional" in this context makes me think of sitting in a cold business office all day behind a cubicle wall -- and I just don't feel that FIRST is about that.