[archiver]

Posted by William Swanson at 04/09/2001 2:53 PM EST


Coach on team #353, POBOTS, from Mattlin Middle School.


In Reply to: Re: Random Filler
Posted by Wayne Cokeley on 04/09/2001 2:27 PM EST:



Your idea for a filler of all teams at regional and finals is excellant. As we were unaware of what the final ceremonies were about and the heat making some of us very uncomfortable, half of our team went to Epcot. I am ashamed to say I approved this. They missed one of the most exciting ceremonies I have seen in a long time. Our team will never leave the competition until it is over again.
The team members that stayed were mesmerized by the ceremony. One member was in awe of Dean's speech and was even more into the FIRST experience than when she came. When Disney's video came on, we watched. It made our spirits soar when we saw our kids surrounding me in the video. What an honor. Our kids, parents, and teachers that saw that were more excited than at the competition (we were in the top third at Newton). The words " Wait till our superintendant hears that we were seen by 15,000 people" were spoken by our parents and team members who were there. It will add much enthusiasm to the program as well as support. Every team should be able to feel as we did.
You are right on the money about anonymous teams beaten down by administration and sponsors because they didn't win. what a poor attitude when our students learn so much from this program. To get to Disney is a very large accomplishment in itself. The planning and committment is a very huge and rewarding responsibility. It shows the character of every team that competed.
We will be back next year and we will will have learned from our mistakes. It was a fantastic experience.