A Moment of Silence

[Tungrus]

Since last championships too many students have lost life, their young life taken away from them for no fault of their own or their immediate family. Heart goes out for them.

A moment of silence would be great to appreciate those young lives even if they did not directly contributed to FIRST, no one knows for sure what impact they could have had on the FIRST's vision and mission.

[neshera]

A moment of silence is a wonderful and appropriate idea.
But consider what the Boldt family and FIRST Team 1732 did in honor of Andrew Boldt, an alumnus who was killed last year. They decided to "make it loud" at the WI Regional this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D1lQJEZDyg This was as moving as a moment of silence, and perhaps more appropriate at a FIRST event? Just a thought.

Also, a lot of people don't attend opening ceremonies for a variety of reasons.
Could this be done during/between Einstein matches? I know it would be odd to do something solemn at that point, but I am sure the excitement of the matches would be able to bring everyone back up.

Finally, unfortunately, there would probably need to be some kind of policy as to who is publicly recognized/memorialized - certainly team members, alumni, coaches; but what about sponsors? suppliers? parents/grandparents? I hate to say this, but a line will need to be drawn somewhere. That doesn't mean we shouldn't proceed with this concept, just a detail to think about.

[waialua359]

This is the best suggestion I have heard for CMPs this year.

Frank, I hope you are reading this thread!

[Mark Sheridan]

Best idea for champs.

[safiq10]

+1
Great Idea, Even though I will not be attending CMP it would an amazing thing to see. I hope this happens

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I was in Milwaukee and I clapped louder than I ever have. Andrew deserved it.

[wireties]

+1

[ChuckDickerson]

I could not agree more strongly. FIRST is a family. We should all take a moment to remember the loved ones we have lost.

[Wayne Doenges]

Here's the list of the team members we have lost since last year (as seen on our robot)

Joey Hekkema Team #3572
Riley Brankstrom Team #1059
Kaleb Whiteley Team #2359
Mays Overton Team 2581

I hope there aren't any more.

[BandChick]

Having lost our own team member this year, I know that a moment of silence would mean a lot to my students, my other mentors, and to his friends on other teams in both FRC and FTC.

I think it really sets the tone for the kind of community we have built here, and how much each member of each team is so integral to everyone's success.

I hope we'll get to see this happen.

[Wayne Doenges]

Is there any way we can make this happen this year?

[Alyssa]

I think this is an extraordinary idea as well. One of the amazing things about FIRST is how close of a community we are, and that we have. This would be a great way to show how much we all care about everyone and I think the teams that have lost someone would really appreciate it.