[Rich Olivera]

It's easy to think FIRST simply teaches Gracious Professionalism. However, I think it is important to recognize that FIRST has gone out of its way to design a competition that Rewards GP. FIRST introduced alliances so that even if you happen to care a lot about winning, it's still in your best interest to help others. FIRST has made clear to everyone that its highest honor goes to the team that most effectively spreads interest in math and science in its community. FIRST has created a situation where the incentives of the competition align with the ideals of GP. I think this is the difference many try to grapple with when they leave FIRST and go into the real world. Society at large does not reward GP-like behavior as much, and sometimes, it can feel like a burden. The incentives to get ahead may not align with their idealism.
FIRST definitely has a positive influence on nearly all who are involved. It does a great deal to help kids see the value in maintaining your integrity. However, if you really want to talk seriously about changing the world, you can't avoid considering what incentives the system provides. Some may be able to maintain GP in an apparent zero-sum environment, but many will not. We are all human after all.