What are your victories?

[MysterE]

Hi everyone,

So far, after each season that we've participated in, I have tried to write something that I believe that I've learned over the past year. I hope that what I write will inspire someone.

One of the questions that I have been pondering as of late is how often we as FIRST Robotics teams spend more time being defined by what we do rather than who we are. Our awards are geared to extrinsic ideals, our success measured by visible standards, and our determination fixed by ideals that are often formed by those who have gone before.

Over the last year I have tried to change this concept in Panthrobotics. Instead of defining ourselves by what we are doing, I am trying to instill in my members that it is who we are becoming that should be the focus of our organization. This is a hard task to do.

It is easy to want to look at other great teams, see what they have done, emulate those teams, and hopefully catch the spark that they have. I have often frustrated myself because I want my team to be the next 1114 or 256 or 2468 . . . the list goes on and on. The problem is that, by doing this, I lose sight of my own team. I'll be honest - it can be frustrating to be one of those teams at events that are forgotten. It is hard to be the team that is not mentioned in any of the posts or seen in any of the commentary. Our team is not alone in this. There are many that are the 'regulars' - out in the crowd looking for the autograph instead of autographing. There is part of me that wants to find the biggest spotlight and shine it directly at the spot in the stands where our team sits. So we start to think of awesome ways. . . to win.

"We should make this app because it could help us win Chairman's Award."

"We should start doing this outreach because it could give us Engineering Design Inspiration."

"How can we do what this team is doing so we can get where they are?"

I figure I'm not the only one that thinks this way. But in the end, being motivated by these things causes burnout and stress. It leads to hopelessness because as I strive to be some other team, that other team continues to run and get farther away than nearer. Their funding is greater, or their mentoring staff is bigger, and we cannot keep up.

So another idea hit me. Google did not become Google because they ran after Yahoo. Facebook did not try to become the next MySpace and Amazon did not want to be the next Walmart. They all became great because they strived to become who they were instead of who someone else was.

I cannot strive to push our team to become someone else. What makes the sauce that is Panthrobotics? What is the intricacies that form a team made up of the leftovers of what the Magnet programs left behind? While we work to define our Core Values, we are also working to define ourselves. Not that we stop striving for greatness, because that is part of us. But we have to strive for greatness on our own terms.

We had our first Dean's List finalist this year. She asked me a question one night as I stressed on how to improve our robot prior to Bayou Regional. She asked me what I defined as victory. For me, victory has always been labeled by the win. She said something in reply along these words; "I believe that if we do all we can with what we have, then we are victorious."

To you, all my CDers, perhaps this is my greatest wish. At the end of this season do not be disheartened. If you have done all that you can with all that you have then you have been victorious this season.

So - some of our team's victories?

• We cheered louder than any other team during the Bayou Regional. Our MC even stopped announcing at one point because of our cheers. We cheered for ourselves and when not playing chose the alliance that was the weakest in any game and cheered for them.
• Our Chairman's Award team worked together to create a presentation that earned a five out of five at the Alamo regional.
• I got to watch one of my first members, in many ways my adopted daughter, walk across the field to get her Dean's List Finalist Certificate.
• We made it to alliance captain for the first time ever in a regional.
• . . . .

My list could go on forever. But whats amusing is that none of these things included awards. Most of what I am most proud of is seeing each of my members become who they were supposed to be. I saw my team start reaching a point where our identity began to assert itself.

I hope your victories were as sweet. And for those of you who have not been called out among the rest and for those of you who at times feel forgotten remember that it is not so much what you are doing that is important. It is what you are becoming.

Thank you.

[techtiger1]

This is an A+ post. I cannot thank you enough and whole heartily agree.

[Steven Smith]

Great post! As a lead in, while it sounds like at times you may feel like your accomplishments are not noticed in the way that the formally recognized teams may be... from the first time I saw you post on CD I took an interest. I actually spent 5th-12th grade in Baton Rouge about 10 minutes from Woodlawn HS before returning to Texas in 2005. Unfortunately, FIRST was non-existent (AFAIK) in Baton Rouge when I was in high school, and I didn't really learn about it until just a couple years ago. Every time I see you post, I'm a little wistful that your program wasn't around then.

Our awards are geared to extrinsic ideals, our success measured by visible standards, and our determination fixed by ideals that are often formed by those who have gone before.

It sounds like you did what our team did this year as a "re-rookie" team, and I believe all teams should do... set team goals. Your goals might be different than my goals... and my goals were certainly different than the established power house teams.

Our existing team of 5 mentors moved programs due to lack of students at the after school club we were previously working with. Rather than continue trying to grow at a location that lacked students, we moved our mentor group to a struggling FIRST team (no funding, 1 mentor), and we transitioned the after school club to a smaller program (VEX IQ).

FRC3005's goals for this year were (actually written in Sept 2013 (edit: Fixed typo of 2014):
1) Stabilize: With the renewed interest, and support of a new administration at the school... we were able to start thinking of Conrad HS as the new home for our program. We were given a medium sized 20'x30' classroom, and will be upgraded to a ~50'x35' classroom next year with an addon office and storage room. Our goal was to stabilize, and start generating some continuity by making the program a year-round effort with the same students, instead of the 8 week program in the Spring as it had previously been.

2) Grow our funding and mentor group: The school went from a budget of ~$6000/yr (registration + $1K)) to a projected budget of~$25K-$30K/yr due to additional grants we were able to apply for, volunteer matching where Texas Instruments matches our hours with ~$1K per mentor per year (up to 15 engineer mentors at the moment), and personal donations that TI matches dollar for dollar.

3) Recruit a younger student base and retain the top students: We started with ~24 students that dwindled to 17 fairly quickly in the fall. However, the 17 that remained were extremely committed, excelled beyond our wildest dreams, and are growing rapidly. Many went from unable to identify basic hand tools, to running mills, riveting, tapping holes, etc. The program only had juniors/seniors when we got there, but this year's driver and human player were freshman. We'll return 12 students for next year, and hopefully recruit another 10-15 good ones based on all the interest generated at the school through our outreach.

4) Make an impression at our single regional: I believe we fielded a capable robot this year. Last year's robot for these students was a climber bot that was unable to climb, or move. Our OPR was in the top 10, and several teams had us scouted there as well. Our design wasn't the most original, our robot had its share of flaws, but our students and mentors had the time of their lives competing... and it cemented in our minds that we can be successful.

Sure, we didn't win a single award, and we didn't qualify for championships... but I could not have asked for a more successful season. We have a large number of our mentors that have shown a huge amount of technical prowess. Our students are getting to where they are helping select and choose off season projects THEY want to build. We're building a gantry mill and a "non-tank" practice drivetrain this offseason. PLTW is likely to provide us with a CNC mill and repair the schools 3D printer. We'll also be starting up a robotics program at the middle school that feeds our high school, using the high school students as "Jr. Mentors" as well as support 2-4 other Jr. High VEX IQ teams..

I can't wait to set our goals for 2014-2015!

A few of our mentors will be at Champs to represent our parent company which sponsors FIRST. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you'd like to meet up and chat robots (I noticed from a prior post you said you'd be there for your Dean's list award winner).

[z_beeblebrox]

1. Build an elegant, effective robot.
2. Build an identical practice robot for the first time.
3. Have both running by Day 45 (even with painting/ anodizing the competition robot).
4. Win engineering awards at both of our regionals.

In terms of the non-technical side of our program, we have worked hard and found success in forming partnerships with local businesses and organizations and participating in and running numerous public events (including currently a 6-week after-school program at a local high school).

Even though we didn't qualify for Championships, I'd consider the 2014 season our best ever: we're figuring out how to build good robots and developing a strong team brand.

I'm already looking forward to 2015.

[H.A.L.]

Great post! My coach would love how you define victory. Though we have had succesful seasons this and last year, for many years our team came home empty handed from competitions. And there are certainly many loses ahead of us. But, as our coach repeats to us before and after every competition, victory is indeed not about awards or winning matches.

The reason he views our Hub City performance this year as a victory is not because our medals at all, but because of how we helped one particular team. This team had two lead mentors who guided them through build season, and on the last week one had a heart attack and a week later the other passed from disease. They had nothing, but still came to competition. It brought my coach to tears seeing our team help them make a competition ready robot, and, as he said Friday night, if helping that team was all we did at competition, he would still view it as a victory. We help dozens of teams at each competition, but I have never seen my coach moved to tears like that. That would have to be our team victory for rhis year.

Note that when you don't define victory as blue banners, it is still important to have some set goals. Our team's sort of goal at every competition is to learn something new. If we loose competition but every student learned something new, then we are still victorious. Learning from failure is a much bigger victory than learning nothing from success. Only one advances you further in life.

That all being said, I'd like to say something about whst you said on looking to other teams: I think it is definitely okay to look at other teams as role models. Team 1114 has been a huge role model for us in the shop, on the field, and in the Chairman's presentation room. I am very suprised to hear our name next to thiers - they are a truly one-of-a-kind incredible force that continues to redifine what it means to be a part of FRC. Does that mean you should be frustrated when you don't perform like them? Of course not! Only one team is admitted into the Hall of Fame each year, and if you are dead set on that you have your work cut out for you. But it does mean that you should seek to emulate their success, because as Karthik likes to say, if you chase perfection you are sure to find excellence along the way.

[VacioArconte]

You guys were super loud in the stands! You cheered louder for our team than we did! We did well in the tournament but what I'm most proud of is how much our team helped out other teams, with pit inspection and everything. Y'all were awesome to sit next to in the stands, and we hope to see y'all next year!

2-4-6-8! Who do we appreciate?

YOU GUYS!

[Max Boord]

In the last 12 months:
1. building a practice robot for the 1st year ever
2. having both working robots 3 days before stop build.
3. make elims with a roookie leadership, and drive team at 2 regionals
4. be the highest seeded team from our state on our championship field
5. win panther prowl with a rookie drive team (thanks 180 and 1065)
6. demonstrate that a 5 student team can go to an event, make semis, and win awards without the rest of the team.
7. help rookies and experienced teams compete on the field to there fullest capability.
8. paint the competition robot in team colors.
9. have a successful autonomous early in our 1st regional
10. practice with 2 great FRC teams with our practice bot (179,180)

[safiq10]

In the last 12 months

1. Started an internal mentorship
2. Presented at 15 different outreach events
3. shot frisbees at a man in a knights armor
4. started 1 new FTC team
5. mentored 3 new FLL teams; one of which is working with scholastic press
6. Raised enough money for our second regional
7. turned in our FIRST chairmans award EVER
8. Turned in our FIRST ever Deans LIST
9. FIRST ever Woody flowers
10. made to the SEMIS twice
11. got one intercontential sponsor
12. Started a girls engineering club at our school

We are pretty proud of what we done this year but the devastators arent done! good luck to all teams

[FRC3883FRC]

This a great thread to read. I started with team 3883 the Data Bits as a Junior. 3883 was the last team to register in the 2011 season. The team only had a 4 week build and 7ish students on the team, 3 of them not in ROTC. Our head mentor Jim was a wizard at anything mechanical and lead the team through the build teaching us all the tools in the shop better then the actual school teacher.

At our first ever regional we pitted next to team 93. Lets just say our two tool boxes was nothing compared to their pit. The Data Bits team had made a solid robot that I was now the driver of. At the end of the competition the team was seeded 12 and pulled into the 7th seed captains. With it being our first event our student we sent up to pick teams had no info at all. It was still a great time in the elims.

The next year was my senior year and the team grew in to the high teens. Though it was a lot of seniors (all but 3). Again the team build a solid robot that I balanced on many of bridges. This got us drafted into the elims in both regionals we competed in and qualified us for the first ever MN State Tournament. It was at State that the team seeded first! Going all the way and taking the win. No better way to end my senior year.

With all but 3 graduating for the next year the team was made up of 20 new freshmen. I came back to help mentor the team along with some of the other previous seniors. Again the team went on to build a solid robot that competed in the elims in both regionals we attended.

We now come to this season. Many returning students and a number of new ones as well. Into the high 20s of students on the team. The first regional our shooter was just not what it needed to be, but defense was why we were chosen to be on the 1st seed alliance, and qualifying for state. At the second fouls turned many matches we would have won, but the robot was making itself look really good. Fixed the shooter problem and became one of the top shooting robots. Again making it into the elims.

Now since the start 3883 the Data Bits have made it into every elim and won state, but has yet to see the world champs. Sure it would be great to go but thats just the way things have gone. The team has still reached many goals and continues to make its name known. Even with out going to the world champs this team has inspired many of its students.

Victory

From a first year student Erica

"I was gonna make this long post about how much you all mean to me and how proud I am of each and every one of you, but you all probably know that. Robotics is the most hectic, most exciting, most tense and rewarding thing I've done ever, and I'm glad to call you all my team, AND my FIRST family."

Ill take that quote over world champs this year.

[Riverdance]

I cannot tell you how much I enjoy reading this thread. It brings such a huge smile to my face! Every team should remember that no matter how they did on the technical side of things every season, there is ALWAYS something to be very, very proud of.

[Naveed Riaziat]

1.) Travel out of state!
2.) Win a Dean's List Award!
3.) Had our first wiring that didn't look like spaghetti, even with an all rookie electronics team!
4.) Fully functional practice bot
5.) Everything anodized or powder coated (powder coat done ourselves!)
6.) New machine shop sponsor! (Shout out to M&L Precision!)
6.) Had fun at both regionals! Nothing beats team bonding and robots

[mman1506]

This year was a huge year for our team. After being a honestly terrible team for the past few years we decided something needed to change.

(I'm disregarding achievements pre-2007 as the leadership and team is entirely different)

This year for the first time ever we:
-Spent our whole off season training
-Made a sponsorship package
-Had team hoodies printed
-Created a team website
-Acted as a team
-Conquered our team's politics
-Got sponsors
-Got mentors
-Setup our own room in the school
-Designed the robot entirely in CAD
-Built a practice robot
-Every member knew the rules (seriously, even our drive team didn't know the rules in the past)
-Strategically designed our robot
-Built a functioning robot
-Spent our march break practicing our driving in a church basment
-Competitive in competition
-Scouted
-Scored points
-Got to work with 254 & 2056 (Holy cow, they are just as amazing off the field as they are on the field)
-Went from last place in 2013 to first place at the Waterloo regional
-Set the current high score (350 no fouls)
-"Best defense in aerial assist"-Karthik
-Built a sustainable foundation for future success


We still have a long way to go but I'm very very proud of our team's accomplishments this year and I hope our team is on the path to continuous improvement. We can't wait to compete in St.Louis.

[Randaline]

I love this thread... Thank you very much for posting this.

Some of our team's victories:

1. Submitted our first Chairman's Award in 10 years and presented twice
2. Submitted our first Entrepreneurship Award in our history, along with putting a business plan in writing for the first time
3. Raised enough funds to make it to two events AND the district championship
4. Grew our team by about 150% (from 9 to 14 students)
5. Became the #1 alliance captain for the first time and won our first award at an event in six years
6. Members of our team actually danced at events! (as well as creating a team cheer)
7. Created our first team website (716robotics.com)
8. Turned in Dean's List submissions for the first time
10. Secured a workspace for next year that will have internet

All in all, it makes me smile to think of what our team accomplished, regardless of any "kind" of achievement

[MysterE]

Reading all of these lists make me so proud to be called a FIRSTer. Thank you all.

[Woetie]

First of all may I say that you truly made a great post here. Reading what you team and other have accomplisched is a great insperation. Here is our list of that we have achieved this year:

- Won the Engeneering Insperation eventhough we are only a second year team.
- Once again being able to travel to the north carolina regional and the world championships comming all the way from the netherlands.
- Got great positive reactions from a lot of the teams that we spoke at the nc regional.
- Finally got a good pack of sponsors behind us after a though year, since we are the first and only dutch team at this point and no one had heard of first before we existed.
- spreading the teachings of first through countless technical converences and presentations including two award winning ted talks by our inspirering team captain.
- Orginising and hosting europes biggest FTC regional, 48 teams with a total of 9 differend nationalities, eventhough we had never orginised an FTC regional before.
- Helping in the orginisation of the german munich FTC regional.
- Helping in the orginiation of a big belgium Fll regional.
- Orginising and helping out at 2 major fll regional.
- Starting a third Fll regional in our area, includig helping appox 40 Fll teams to get started.
- Inplementing FIRST in the dutch school system.
- Taking a dutch FTC team with us on our trips to nc and st louis to show them FRC.
- Helping two new FRC team to spawn in europe. The second Dutch team, comming from the FTC team that we are taking with us on our trips, and the first ever italian FRC team.
- Planning ahead for 2016 to have a super dutch FTC regional. Spoilers: planning on a 3 day event with 4 divisions and 96 teams!
Planning ahead for 2018 to have the first ever european FRC regional. Creating an european championships that includes the whole line of FIRST with the size of worlds!

And the list goes on but these are the things that im most proud of. The enthausiasm within the team is sky high and, like the judges said in our rapport for our Engineering Inspiration award: This team knows no boundries and they are passionalty painting a portet of inspiration, for an entire nation!

We could not have done this without the help of countless amerikan teams with Team 122, the nasa knights as sister team to us, showing us the ways of FIRST.

If you wanna know more about our plans for the European Championships or if you would love to have your team join this amazing event, then feel free to contact us, check out our website (www.teamrembrandts.com) or come and see us in st louis!

Cant wait to see all the teams at worlds again. To all the teams compeading, good luck and have fun! And to all the other team, I hope to meet you some day!