[Bob Steele]

Hi!!

I just wanted to let you know that we will be on the field with you at the Oregon Regional. We have been lucky enough to go the CMP the last two years. (We actually double qualified both years..) You may remember us as we were next door neighbors in the pits 2 years ago.

We know what you are feeling. You guys went in 2006 I think...Taking a bunch of kids all the way from the PNW to Atlanta is pretty pricey... Tickets have been somewhere greater than $500 from Seattle and I would expect you would have something like that flying out of Portland.

Our team has made a decision to go to Atlanta. We are working on the fundraising now... and have been all year. I think that you just have to make the decision to go. You need to make that a priority and set up fundraisers and see how much money you can raise to get the students there.

I think it has to be a mindset for the team... and the parents.
I think it is dangerous to not make the decision.

I remember our rookie year (two years ago) I had NO idea that our team would qualify for CMP the first year and then we went to the Las Vega regional and Rookie All Star and were Regional Champions (due to teams 1425 and 254). We had 10 days to make it happen.

Our parents banded together and we came up with the money.
It was pretty nerve-wracking though...it certainly would not have happened without the parents, NASA and the school helping out.

I am just suggesting that you make the decision to go... no matter what.
That way EVERYONE can work from this point on and make the fundraising another WIN for your team.

We will be in Portland too... if there is anything we can do at that event to help you in your quest for a qualifier... please let us know what we can do.

Good luck !!! We will see you in Atlanta!!!

See you in the Rose Garden!! (Coliseum)