[JaneYoung]

Jason,
Thank you for sharing that memory and for starting this thread. One thought that I would love to add to yours is to suggest that sometimes shyness can get in the way of wanting to meet people that you would like to. I'm not suggesting in any way that anyone interrupt a meeting or barge into a discussion, but I am suggesting that students (or anyone, really) try to overcome your shyness enough to be able to say hi and introduce yourself. If it is really hard to do, your mentor or a parent on your team could help you out or put in a quiet word for you. This can happen at any event and IRI is a gathering place for many teams and many people who celebrate robotics and team spirit - the type of team spirit that celebrates being a part of something bigger than the team. It celebrates inspiration. I'm glad to see that the IRI committee decided to go with one of the tag-lines, 'Inspiration Lives Here', that Mike Taylor suggested. He knows and understands what that means. If you have been to IRI, you do, too. If this is your first visit to IRI, you will soon understand.

I would also suggest that everyone take the time to look around and explore all of the opportunities that IRI offers to us. It's well worth your while.

Jason, thank you again and I hope to see you there.

Jane