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Posted by colleen.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]


Coach on team #246, a FIRST-aholic, from John D. O'Byrant High School/Boston Latin Academy and NSTAR/Boston University/UTC/Raytheon/MassPEP.

Posted on 8/3/2000 9:34 AM MST


In Reply to: WARNING: Virus Alert posted by Andy Baker on 8/3/2000 8:52 AM MST:



Wow...

..before I cast my opinion.. you know Andy that I hold you in high regard among those I know in the FIRST community.. as well as your team.. I truly feel that you are some of the best around..

.. But i have to say I think that was a bit harsh.. i cringed reading that message while Vinny's original post didn't even make me flinch..

.. Vinny very well may be an 'impressionable student' who has gathered this opinion from somewhere.. and from my other post, I've gathered this opinion from somewhere too.. I've had the chance to view many a Chairman's Award from spending time at FIRST (one day Kate and I actually took home many many of the awards and look through them completely and watched all the videos).. I don't think it wasn't out of the 'gracious professionalism' realm for him to say that he thinks big donations to FIRST sways the voting of some judges.. it's something that happens everyday.. in every company.. it's part of business.. YES ITS UNFAIR.. yes, life is unfair.. and yes people shouldn't have to deal with it..

But telling him to just be quiet about it is no way of dealing with it... just because people disagree.. and one opinion may be favored.. doesn't mean everyone else should just stop with theirs.. imagine if you ran a team where everyone just sucked it up and got over it when things didn't work.. everyone's robot would be built according to the loudest person's opinion, etc.. everyone's opinions matter.. that's why FIRST holds things like the Team Forum.. so people's voices can be heard... I KNOW Vinny isn't the only one who has felt this.. our Chairman's Award cost under $5 to make.. it was decent.. i was impressed by the creativity of it.. No one on our team took offense to not winning or being a finalist.. but we didn't just get over it either..

and my point... No, I wouldn't suggest to Vinny or anyone that they just get over it.. I would suggest they use great forums like this to express their opinions so they don't keept their feelings bottled up inside and develop a bitter taste in their mouth about FIRST because they feel it is run by the 'big boys' and what they think doesn't matter... even having a loud voice in the FIRST community.. i truly feel that now.. that each year money runs this show more and more.. and it's harder and harder for the little guys to enjoy and be recognized as doing things of importance.. THAT IS NOT SAYING THE TEAMS WITH MONEY OR DO GOOD ARE WRONG AND THAT IS NOT TO OFFEND ANYONE.. it is truly truly how i feel.. I too am glad Vinny brought up the discussion...

Our team had zilch for resources this year.. for robot, chairman's, spirit, travel.. anything.. when our robot didn't drive.. we didn't tell our kids to get over it.. we discussed it.. discussed the options.. and were just psyched that our robot was always out on the field as were we.. giving it our all.. when we thought we were a major contender for the Animation Award and we scored not as well as we liked.. we didn't get over it.. we discussed it.. discussed what may have happened.. why.. how we could do better.. and the fact that we thought we had a great animation and we were proud of it.. otherwise.. that unfairness maybe would have just taken over our team like a virus and there would be no submission from 246 in the years to follow because it just wouldn't be worth it if our best wasn't good enough..

yes, it sucks to lose.. but what we have to teach these 'impressionable students' is that life is unfair, sure.. but luckily- FIRST is a program where THERE ARE NO LOSERS... you are a winner for doing your best.. you can be upset.. as long as you realize that making it as far as you do is an accomplishment in itself.. that's what we taught our kids.. and i think we could all learn a little about that..

Congrats to all those who 'win'... but moreso.. congrats to everyone who trys... you deserve the credit more than anyone..


This is not gracious professionalism, but more like self-pity, selfishness and whining.

: While Vinny's comments do make some try to 'Fix the Chairman's Award', I suggest just moving on.

: Andy B.