Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr MOE
I also want to say that we experienced a great FIRST moment this past weekend. Rookie team 2558 needed some significant assistance to get their bot on the playing field. Many teams, including mine, teamed up to provide resources during the whole competiiton to get 2558 running. One of the best moments of Philly for me this year was being in the stands the first time 2558 came onto the field (they had missed all of their practices and a few of their early qualification matches). Their first match out, they almost crossed a line. Just to see their bot moving and the students so excited to be operating it made me realize once again why we are all here - to inspire. Great job 2558! Use the network you made this weekend to establish a solid robotics team. We look forward to being your partner on the Philly playing field in 2009!
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I had a moment like this at the Chesapeake Regional this year. Team 1894 basically had a kitbot chassis that didn't move. Over the course of three days, members from 341, 2234, and other teams got their robot working - and even added in functional pneumatics and hybrid mode! The first time their knockdown piston fired, hugs and high fives went all around.
Their robot didn't win, but that didn't phase them. One of their kids came up to me and told me how he was going to learn to program, learn pneumatics, learn about machining, and his robot was going to beat Daisy next year.
That moment made my heart rise up into my throat more than probably any other in FIRST. For experienced teams like John's and my own, we've held blue banners, trophies, and medals plenty of times.
If you asked me what awards or regionals we won in five years, I wouldn't be able to tell you. But it is moments like these that you will never, ever shake from your memory.