[Carolyn Duncan]

Originally posted by captainfirst
Anyway, I'm majoring in engineering and part of that is because of FIRST. But people, get over it, FIRST should not consume your life. Decorating your entire room with stuff from FIRST? Grow up. It's like walking around with the trophy from boys-and-girls club soccer from when you were 8.

If you want people to grow up and move on from FIRST I propose that we institute this as a policy. Now that this has been done lets look at what we have done. None of the teams have college students on them. Well, that eliminates many teams from existance. (I'm sure if someone gets bored enough they will figure out the numbers to go with my post when I'm done) Now think about the students who are missing out on being inspired. Next we look at the adults, many adults get dragged into the program by their children. Well, kiss those children buh bye because they aren't getting inspired do in turn you can eliminate the parents. Now look at the engineers that are sent to teams from sponsors. No team means no sponsors so kiss 'em good bye. Would you like me to keep going? I'm sure I can eliminate everyone else in FIRST who was not directly brought into the program by one of teh FIRST people.
I don't doubt that you have great resecpt for those who guided you through FIRST, but don't you think it would show them a little more courtesy if you don't tell them they should grow up? If everyone grew up we would never have such wonderful things as theme parks, like disney, or programs like FIRST. No one would worry about teaching kids stuff like that or making places where adults can be a kid again. I truelly hope you rethink your post.
I'm a college student who is mentoring a team and I think things are going well. Working with the machinery is one thing but answering questions about real life stuff is also a big help to them. I'm from a different state and setting as most of them. They go to a magnet school and are, comparatively, overachievers. I was a public school underachiever who skated through off common sense. They have asked me all kinds of questions about school, real life, grades, etc. It's not limmited to FIRST stuff. Think of the number of kids who would just go out with friends and get into trouble if they didn't participate in FIRST. I'm glad to be able to say I spend all the extra time with FIRST. I used to spend it on coaching soccer. Both are great things to do. If it means that I'm still a child not yet into the cruel adult world then so be it. But I'd like to stay in my childish place, if it means that I get to take my teams cardboard cut out of Woodie to random places and photograph it. I truely think it's a shame that you had to grow up and leave all the fun behind. I'm willing to take up your left behind fun and keep on truckin'. So while yo uhave fun in your world I'll have fun in mine and I'm sure we'll both be happy in the end.
BTW, David...
I love the pics of your FIRST room. They are really great. Keep the collection growing so you can make it into an enitre house one day.
And of course I can't leave this out... mad props to you Ken!
Anton, I think FIRST will be different without you, I know the board will.