Quote:
Originally Posted by Amanda Morrison
I was lucky to be on a team in 2002 that won the Championship. As a high school senior, I cannot tell you what a profound experience it was to walk on stage, receive our trophies and medals, hug Woodie and Dean, and get the recognition from other competing teams. This year, the stands were emptying before the last half of the last finals match. An announcement was made for teams to head over to the FIRST Finale immediately after the match completed and the score announced. I was extremely saddened that my students were not able to have a similar experience for their hard work and effort as that which profoundly changed my life. Their win was trivialized - yes, confetti and streamers, but having a teacher hand you your medal in the abandoned pit area shortly before you get on the bus is anti-climactic compared to the team walking across Einstein or the stage and receiving recognition for their effort to get to that point. Seeing thousands of people in the stands and realizing what an extreme honor is being placed upon you is a truly epic moment in a child's life. While I know my students were exceptionally happy and excited for the honor, I had only wished they could have been given the opportunity that I was lucky enough to experience.
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I was far too excited after Championships to get worked up over the lack of a medal ceremony. Now that it's been a few weeks and I've had a chance to think about it, I'm pretty stunned and disappointed that the medal ceremony was removed from the program.
After the final score was announced, a rack of medals was placed nearby our alliance, and we were told to pick up our medals and pack up. Trophies and banners were dropped off as well. To make matters worse, our entire team who was up in the stands were told they weren't allowed on the dome floor. It was only after significant arguing by one of our parents (go Supermom!) that they opened the gate, allowing the rest of the team to join in on the celebration.
I understand the time constraints involved, but it just seemed strange that the winning alliance didn't have a chance to go up on stage to shake hands with Dean and Woodie, and receive our medals and trophy.
Hopefully the medal and trophy presentation for the winners will return next year, allowing the 2009 Champions the proper level of recognition that they deserve.
Does anyone have some insight into why this ceremony was removed from the program?