[Robby O]

Well, the first two years I was on my team, it was a total blast. Everything went wonderfully. In my last year, however, things took an unexpected dip when the school's magnet coordinator and robotics teacher left. They were replaced with people who knew absolutely not what they were doing, and really didnt listen much to the right students, although Im sure they had thier hands full as it was.

Then to top that off, there was a "cold war" between myself and my once best friend over control of the team. He was in it for the win, and treated FIRST more as something to party with and get free trips with. He even promoted obscene language in music for our cart. Meanwhile I had kept a FIRST purist and fought a lot of that. The team was literally split between those wanting to be in the cool with him, and those wanting to be on my side supporting the values and morals of FIRST.

After I graduated, I was so upset at the team, that I originally planned to not come back. It wasnt the team that I had originally joined. But eventually I did to mentor the animation team, and that also turned for the worse. Except when I started the animation eGroup. Now I mentor more than just students from the team I once hailed from, but I get to help spread animation knowledge to everyone in FIRST, and will continue to do so.

This year, my old team also made it up to regional Finalist. At first I really shunned them, as I couldnt stand many of the students, teachers, and a couple of the engineers. But eventually I did realize how un-FIRST-like that was, and did end up congratulating those I saw, although I still do disagree with many of the reasons they do things. But of course that doesnt apply to all the team members. So for the members of that team reading this, those who know me well, good luck with the team.

Although it belongs in the thank yous, there are a couple of names I would like to put here:

Ruslan, Lee, Jack, Mike, Z, Linda, Henry, Clara, Sumo, Noland, O'Day, And the students who stood by and supported what I had to say, as well as believed in the FIRST spirit, and were not in it for the win or the trips. Not to mention MOST of the alumni, especially Shaun (however you spell it) who deserves THE credit for starting the base system which has recieved awards 2 years in a row now. Apologies if I missed anyone. Gah, this is turning into a late night ramble. I need some sleep. Night all.