Favorite Regional Moment?

[Jimmy Nichols]

After a long practice day at Crossroads back at the hotel I was giving a pep talk to the team to get them ready for the next day. I asked them who are we going to cheer for tomorrow? Several of my students said "Everyone!" This caught me off guard, I was expecting the team numbers of our partner teams and friends. Just shows what a great bunch of kids I have and the values that FIRST is helping to instill in them.

[Lydia Yeckley]

Honestly, my favourite part of a regional came during the 2012 Pittsburgh Regional. It was in the light of the Pitt State shootings, I witnessed the supreme spirit of FIRST. In case those may not know, here is the link for background: http://content.usatoday.com/communit...unman-sought/1

Basically, several were injured in the shooting. The Petersen Center (which the regional is held) was a prime location to shelter the patients in the hospital. Amongst the turmoil, the SWAT team was called in to secure the surrounding area. The greatest act I've seen at a FIRST Regional is the thoughtless acts of volunteering to load in the witnesses, injured, and non-effected patients into the venue. Busses were packed with the patients, which pulled up to the loading bay where just days before we loaded in our robots. Mentors and FIRST Volunteers alike dropped their tools and picked up both stretchers and cots.

And that, is my favourite moment EVER at a regional.