Why even bother submitting a Chairman's Award if we're not gonna win?

[Elong451]

As captain and one of the members who submitted chairman's award for three years: I can see how chairman's award benefits First as well as the community.

Some of the things we wouldn't have considered doing if we weren't applying for chairman's award:
1- Making a therapy device to help a toddler sit on his own. It took only took a week to build and he was able to sit up on his own *he has muscular dystrophy* in five weeks of therapy. The original amount of therapy for this type of disability is longer than five years.
2-Pecan Festival- We go to a local agricultural festival and educate people about the local robotics teams and what First is. We also demonstrate that years game and we hand out buttons to the kids.
3-Asking legislative officials to come to robotics events. We sent out emails and snail mail asking senators and representatives to come to local events for robotics. It was arduous and we only had one official respond to an email.
4- harvest hope food drives.
5- off season robot builds, cart improvements, and sponsor out reach.
6- bringing three rivaling high schools together for the greater good.

All this and much much more in six years and we haven't won. Though it may be a requirement for us being sponsored by it's also a massive benefit and I wont forget the stress and nervous interviews for three years and finally seeing the light in some of these forum posts on how to improve ourselves.
I am graduating this year and it disheartens me to know my team will become smaller after losses, but I know the more passionate members who are staying will improve us and work like i did for three or four years to win this award.

For our community and for First we dedicate our free time and work towards a better future.