Future First Championship News

[Alyssa]

I am particularly concerned about all the comments (not even just comments on this thread, comments on Facebook or personal conversations) about students only being inspired IF they get to attend Champs, and that being the reason that having 2 Champs where more teams get to attend is a good thing.

I was personally inspired by FRC my freshman year in late 2012, watching an off-season competition. I also attended Champs the following year in St. Louis to play Ultimate Ascent. I also attended Champs last year to play Areal Assist, and my team and I set a world record. This year, we did not qualify. I will not be attending Champs this season. But I can sure as hell tell you that not qualifying, having our season end so early, $@#$@#$@#$@#, has it set a fire underneath me to qualify next year. I wanted to see robots like 254, 1114, I wanted to compete. Kids will be inspired weather or not they go to Champs, they will have something to work towards if there is a Championships.

However, diving Champs into two events, hoping to give more kids the ability to attend? I want to know that I have earned my spot at Champs, and I want to compete with some of the best teams in the world and learn from them. I want to have something to work for. Imagine a Championships where you don't get to see your favorite robots win or lose, or imagine a year where 1114 wins Detroit and 254 wins Houston...imagine how incomplete that competition would be.

Please, if you agree with anything that I'm saying or that others have said, do something! Email, call FIRST. They have listened to us before, very recently in fact, because of our complaints and concerns (cheesecaking). Lets give FIRST the benefit of the doubt and give them our concerns, hopefully they'll listen.