Quote:
Originally Posted by Looking Forward
but a criminally underrated 1649 snuck in some big points.
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Sounds like a perfect moniker for Team 1649 EMS.
They took the highest rookie seed award in Florida back in 2005. A modest achievement to be sure until you learn that their sponsoring school, Windermere Prep, only went as high as 8th grade and the majority of students were 6th and 7th graders. There is even a scurrilous rumor floating around that they needed to stand on milk crates to see over the control station.
In 2006 they returned as 8th and 9th graders and by virtue of their size were again overlooked by the older veterans. That is, at least, until their alliance motored its way to the winners circle.
Last year some of you will remember that we showed up with a robot that really sucked. Its twin gray car vacuums and Walmart donated garbage can lid left an impression in Florida and Atlanta.
Each year since our rookie season the school has added one grade and this spring they will graduate their first and
FIRST high school class.
Chronically short of students, short of dollars and short of stature, (see note) they have a history they can proudly pass to the next generation of 8th graders.
To give you an idea what they have overcome, last year the trailer they rented never received a permit to connect power. They literally built that sucker on the covered sidewalk outside their classrooms using hand tools and flashlights. It sounds like I am joking but I swear to you I am not making this up.
Sorry I must sound like a proud daddy. But heck, this is my 8th grade daughters second season with 1649 so I am a proud daddy and the proud mentor of a bunch of wonderfully dedicated kids.
All the other mentors and parents in the
FIRST community know exactly how I feel.
Editors Note: The short of stature thing isn't strictly true anymore. They grew up just fine.
