[David Brinza]

I've met with many sponsors, parents, judges and other adults (volunteers and spectators) who's primary contact time with FIRST is a regional event. They love they energy of the events - including the dancing. I took my Mom to the inaugural St. Louis Regional (2002?) and she was all grins watching students and mentors doing the chicken dance. It clearly impressed her that this program allows kids of all ages to "let their hair down" and enjoy themselves.

Certainly, the matches are intense and the crowd responds with cheers to team introductions, exciting finishes and scores being posted. I don't think that the level of energy (cheering and applauding) can be sustained between the finals matches (6+ minutes) without some other crowd participation activity. So, why NOT dancing? Even if you suck at dancing as much as I do, you can dance at a FIRST regional without fear of ridicule - especially if you believe others around you are laughing with you not at you.

One other thing, as far as I know, there are not many people being paid to participate in the regionals, so the "professionalism" rules of the office (except at Google) don't really apply at a FIRST competition. If you're looking for the kind of professionalism that exists in a design review, don't expect students, mentors and volunteers to be attracted to the program.

My wife adds that dancing is an expression of the soul and the soul is meant to be happy! Celebrate!!!!