[Craig Roys]

I don't think that playing to win is the problem...I think that everyone who is in any competition because they love the game they are playing also has a desire to win. Does that mean they had an unsuccessful season if they don't win? No, especially not if FIRST, since success is measured on so many levels. This year we had our most successful season even though we never won a competition; however, we did win a District Chairman's award which was sweeter than winning an event. Would we have liked to win an event or two also? Of course, but we're willing to be patient and keep improving until we get to that point. We're also not satisfied with one District Chairman's award - we hope to keep building and improving there also.

Along with that desire to win is a feeling of wanting to earn it - I don't want a victory handed to me. It is so much sweeter if you have to go through the battles to get there. Each year our team looks at what we've done and analyze what worked well and what can we improve upon. We are constantly looking at what the FIRST powerhouses do and try to emulate some of those aspects.

I don't dislike the successful teams in FIRST - I use them as motivation to get better so we can eventually be one of them. Why should a team be faulted for wanting to win and being good at it? That doesn't necessarily mean they devalue the other aspects of FIRST - in fact, I think you'll find that most the powerhouse teams are successful not only in competitions, but in all aspects of FIRST.

A goal for me is to not only inspire students in science and engineering, but also to instill that value of having to work for and earn your victories. You have to take your lumps on the way to the top - learn from mistakes, emulate those who are successful, and just keep improving and plugging away. Persistance can be a wonderful quality!