To Team 22: Double Deuce and H.O.M.E.R

[J Flex 188]

Wow.

Its not often that I start a thread with a single word, but in this case that is all I can say to express my sincerest thoughts and gratitude towards this incredible team, its students, teachers and supporters. Team 188 arrived at High Tech High on the campus of Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, California around 930 on Tuesday March 29th. We travelled from LAX in big white 15 passenger vans and were first greeted by the welcome sight of Miss Wooten wearing our familiar red and white jersey. From High Tech High, we were met with open arms by our billets for the next week. We had a chance to tour one of the most impressive high schools I have ever been in and an even more impressive robotics design lab. More on that later.

The very next day, we met up bright and early and travelled with team members of 22 to Venice Beach for a day of unwinding from travelling and a taping of the "Best $@#$@#$@#$@# Sports Show Period" at FOX studios in Los Angeles. It ended up being an adventure for our teachers to drive in L.A. traffic, but they handled it admirably. All the while, the parents of the 22 team members kept us well stocked with lunches, water, drinks and good humour. The next three days were occupied with the So. Cal. Regional Competition, which was an experience to say the least. It was interesting to see a West Coast style of play, with heavy defence but little to no penalties. The tone was set for the regional when we ended up facing 22 in our first qualification match and dropped tetras in spectacular fashion from our gripper because of a loose pneumatic hose. Although this regional was by far our worst performance as an individual team, we were picked by the alliance of 1622 and 1452 and moved into the semi finals where we were defeated in a convincing fashion by the eventual winners of 69 330 and 634. However, what I am getting at is the fact that when 22 qualified for the finals with 980 and 968, our entire team, comprised of some 17 students and 5 mentors went absolutely nuts and ran down to the field to cheer them on. No wasted moments of sadness on our elimination, no hesitation, we just went straight to the field and yelled as loud as we could. It was an amazing sight to see members 22 and 188 jointly yelling out cheers ranging from "Pablo!" (22's base driver) to "Go Blue Alliance". Never have I felt such a strong connection with another team then I did at that very moment.

After the competition we went to Universal Studios City Walk and enjoyed a dinner with members of 22 and headed off for the night. The next day we were blown away by Disneyland and the generosity of Team 22 as they paid dinner and admission. In fact, it seemed that wherever we went 22 absolutely had to pay for everything, though I know for certain, at one point our team refused to let this continue.

Another experience was had on Monday when 188 attended High Tech High and was treated to one of the most innovative and technologically advanced schools that any of us had ever seen. Yet the students and everyone else who was a part of 22 remained as down to earth as any of us or any one else in FIRST. The evening ended with a potluck dinner and a presentation of Team 22 shirts and caps to 188 members (they were already decked out in 188 gear before hand). We were officially inaugurated as members of Team 22 in full. I am still reeling from the trip, as we got back midnight last night.

It was as if we could pick up with everyone right where we left off last year. When they arrived last year, Team 22 was a friendly bunch of strangers. When they left, they were a welcome group of partners in FIRST. This year when we left, they were our best friends and a model of the very values that FIRST stands to bring out in young people today. Despite the thousands of kilometers separating us, I have personally never felt the impact of FIRST more so than I have with our relationship with Team 22. It was a brilliant idea on the part of them to invite us into this program last year and I sincerely hope that it continues as long as both our teams are involved. Indeed, it was an absolutely amazing way to "cap" off my last year in robotics as a high school student. All of the members of 22 will be dearly missed. We had hoped to qualify for Atlanta and compete and cheer with you guys there, but that isn't happening. Fear not, for you will be back next year and we can start things up again.

On behalf of the entire Team 188, I sincerely thank the entirety of Team 22 for putting up with this rowdy group of Canadians down south and for providing us with a welcome respite from the (somewhat) frozen north.

I leave one clue for the future. Never have I been more excited at the prospect for our team in terms of advancing our resources.

[Alex Cormier]

Did you also hear that team 22 came all the way from L.A. to volunteer at the Rochester, New York regional!? They got our GP award for that. i can't believe it. hopefully one of the east coast teams will do the same and come over to the west?

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Pit Bull 1126

Did you also hear that team 22 came all the way from L.A. to volunteer at the Rochester, New York regional!? They got our GP award for that. i can't believe it. hopefully one of the east coast teams will do the same and come over to the west?

I hope they enjoyed the snow.
Maybe next year they can register for FLR (and bring 254 with you).

[sanddrag]

Wow, sounds like a pretty sweet deal you had going on there. Maybe 22 can host us next year.

[Daniel Brim]

Yes, I <3 Double Deuce/HOMER. They are truly the epitome of gracious professionalism. Also, 188, you were great! Absolutely the loudest team and the team that made the most presence. Also, congratulations on the entrepreneurship award!

Wendy Wooten for President!

-Daniel

[Koko Ed]

They are a Chairman's Award winner and Hall of Fame team. It's like a genetic inclination to be awesome.

[Ali Ahmed]

Thanks Jeff.

We had a great time with Team 188 and I know everybody left with at least one new friend. It was very sad to see you guys leave but hopefully we will see each other next season. And don't worry about Atlanta, we will be proudly sporting your caps so everybody will know that 188 is still there in spirit.

Thanks once again for coming down.

[J Flex 188]

That's yet another great way that 22 is helping FIRST. It is such a brilliant idea to do that. In fact some of 188 advanced scouts (myself included) met 22 at FLR and were quite surprised to see them!

Originally Posted by Pit Bull 1126

Did you also hear that team 22 came all the way from L.A. to volunteer at the Rochester, New York regional!? They got our GP award for that. i can't believe it. hopefully one of the east coast teams will do the same and come over to the west?

[Mr. Lim]

Words can't describe what an amazing time we had thanks to Team 22!!!

Wendy Wooten for supreme ruler of the universe!

And High Tech High... If I wasn't actually THERE, and got to physically touch the place, I'd have a hard time believe such a place actually exists.

Stay tuned! We'll be updating the photo albums from team188.com soon!

-SlimBoJones...

[PatrickN]

I've been reading CD forums for several years but have never really felt compelled to make an account and post things (standard forum lurker ). However, I have never had a robotics experience quite like the southern california regional that team 188 just recently attended.

When Team 22 first came down to Canada, I was surprised when I saw "FIRST hall of fame" on their shirts - I had never heard of them. However, I now fully understand why they are hall of famers. Their group of students are incredibly gracious and friendly. Team 22 truly excels in all aspects of FIRST. Their robot is incredible, but is second to the gracious professionalism exhibited by the team. At the socal regional, we nominated them for the sportsmanship award because of all they did for us. In the end, they won a judges award (as well as finalist award), and I firmly believe it was because they excelled in so many aspects that the judges didn't really know which area to recognize.

Thank you Team 22!

[pacuellar]

yeah jeff., we all had a great time. Hope to see you guys soon (either down here in CA, or the US for that matter, or we go up to Canada!)

...glad you enjoyed your stay down here

[Guy Chriqui]

We had a great time when you guys were down hear and we only hope that we can continue this exchange in the future because you guys are such a great team. It is "awesometastic" that you guys had a wonderful time and we are glad that we were able to provide the hospitalities that you guys gave to us when we visited you way up there in Canada.
P.S. Hope the weather wasnt too warm =p
- Guy

[Steve W]

Stop with the beach stuff and warm weather. Here in Canada the weather sucked for the GTRegional. We did have a fantastic time here without 22 and 188 but I know that both were missed. Maybe next time I will be able to come down cause I really wanted to this time. I would like to thank Team 22 for remembering me and sending me one of the best gifts that I could ask for. I am a hat collector and have now added a Clippers hat to my collection. Thanks guys, see you at Championships.