FIRST is the best thing that ever happened to me.
I got involved with FIRST in 2003. My best friend was on a FLL team and I volunteered at one of the events. I volunteered again in 2004 and 2005, and I also was able to attend the FRIST VEX Competition in "05". Later that year I started High School and played in the first year of the Milwaukee VEX League as a member of team 1675. I built my own VEX robot, wired, and drove it that year.
In 2006 I started my first year of FRC. I was really excited to be part of a team, to meet new friends, and I would do anything I could that year. I did some animation, CNC, Welding, normal building, wrote WF, Drove the robot (eek!), and did the website and media for the year. I was part of everything so I could see what I really wanted to do. Freshman year after build season I was voted in for captain and that was where I really thrived. I learned to organize, communicate, create, and lead a team.
2007 I was able to branch out some more. I wrote Kevin K's Woodie Flowers that won in Milwaukee (he's really inspired me in the FIRST program and I thank him for it). I also wrote chairmans, and organized demos and did some media again. I learned that I loved to sit down and write or run around with a camera taking pictures and capturing a moment. As a joke Kevin mentioned once that it would be great if there was a Mentor VEX program, so 3 other friends and I created on that summer and held the competition in September.
It wasn't until this year that I realized how much FIRST has taught me. 2008, was the best year for the team so far and I am so proud of everyone. We didn't make it to Atlanta, and when we didn't I realized something about FIRST. FIRST is huge, and full of amazing people. There are people in FIRST that go above and beyond what is needed of them, reaching new heights, and inspiring so many students. This year I learned that I want to be one of those people that runs a regional, mentors a team, and starts up new teams because I've been given this opportunity to be a part of the FIRST community, and I want to give others that opportunity. FIRST isn't just a 4 month event for me anymore, it's a way of life that's changed me into who I am today.
FIRST has made me want to grow up and inspire students, just like the mentors and people in FIRST do for me now. So THANK YOU SO MUCH for the FIRST program, because I don't think I could fit in so well anywhere else.
Renee