Question: What was the first FIRST competition you attended?

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I have to lay a basis...I was heavily involved in The Fraternal Order of Eagles organization of which I am still a member (since 1996), a great fraternal organization. In 1999-2000 I was President of my local Aerie (our lodge or Eagles home). And before that the Aerie Secretary, and once you are a past President you qualify to run for State Aerie office.

In June 2000 I ran for (won a position on the State Executive Board), and started my personal walk toward the AZ State Aerie Presidency -F.O.E..

www.foe.com

In 2009-2010 I served as the State Aerie President and worked as a troubled Aerie Agent for a number of years by then and since (a volunteer troubleshooter for the Grand Aerie FOE when a local Aerie's Charter is suspended or revoked).

In 2011 I was serving my last year as a State Aerie Officer (the AZ State Aerie -Jr. Past Worthy State President, and my term was to end in early June 2011). Just as a bit of background here, my home Aerie is Lake Havasu City Aerie, and we have over 6000 members in our Aerie/Auxiliary and they supported my walk up the ladder from day 1.

The State Presidents represents every member in the State. Travel almost every weekend of the year is mandatory to effectively do the job of any executive board member, absolutely mandatory of the Presidents...It is a huge personal commitment like FIRST is. I take my given oaths to the organization (and as a dedicated volunteer & organization officer), very personally.

In August 2010, our youngest son Noah (our last child at home, and youngest of 3 boys - I have been a Dad for 40 years now), was entering High School as a freshman in August 2010 (his Grandfather -my F.I.L), who lives with our family, had previously taken Noah to an FRC Regional in Las Vegas, and it - FIRST Robotics, had bitten him pretty good.

We have a local community based (3 High School, 2 Districts, and Home Schooler's), FIRST team (60), with a bit of history behind it that goes almost back to the very FIRST beginnings, and a few long time FIRST involved mentors in town (yes, I'm pointing at you a 2015 Woodie Flowers Award Finalist Winner, Industry Mentor George Williams - Master Machinist and master teacher -Laron, Incorporated employed, and Jody & Kerry Schanaman -Both Mohave County Sheriff's & KUSD employed).

Well, to put it simply "Noah joined the team."

My now FIRST Education Mentor Wife Celeste was asked to handle the duties since our son was now "on the team", by her school district, and gladly took the duties even though she works at the district's Middle School, and not the High School. She's been "TAG, YOU'RE IT" every day since (year round including Lego Robotics teams she personally Coaches at her school each year).

OK, that basis is laid out....Naoh first asked me that August...."Dad, please come mentor too. I'm there, Mom's there...You need to be there also."

I said I would, but first (notice that word? FIRST), I must finish my commitment to the FOE. I'll be finished with that commitment (State President & Jr. Past State President), by next June. Mind you, I had just completed a huge commitment year as the FOE AZ State President, and was tired & just a short 10 months away from completing that long hard walk up through the seats (and never ending years upon years of constant travel), to do so.

Now, the very first FIRST Event I attended....Mom (her and I live the good but understanding life of dedicated Teacher & her Husband....In August we both say Hi & bye hunny, see you during school vacations and occasionally when you/I'm grading papers), & Noah were busy all the time (then magically they almost totally disappeared somewhere in early January 2011, and I rarely ever saw either of them except when they dragged in late looking a bit tired from wear of long hours from something strange called (totally unbeknownst to me at the time),...The Excitement filled and Dreaded "FRC BUILD & COMPETITION SEASON."

I thought someone had kidnapped them, and I'd be receiving a ransom call any day now. So I waited by the phone. That call never came, so....

Dad had no clue whatsoever what he was missing (except maybe his wife and child, and a whole bunch of dinners together...Though Celeste always had prepared food in the fridge for me, though I don't know where she finds the time...I wasn't neglected, just missing them a lot). No idea...I Was CLUELESS about FIRST, or what I was truly missing! The art of mentoring....The excitement of the engineering nightmare disguised as a game. The big CON of....Eventually you get to sleep after Championships is over....

It just so happened, come early March2011, they were competing at Hamilton High in Scottsdale, AZ at the AZ East Regional, and I was attending an Aerie Visitation in Tempe (Mesa Tri-City Aerie), on the very same weekend, and our Visit/Banquet was scheduled for Saturday evening, and the 2 locations were just a few miles apart.

So, like a good spouse & father should & would do...I drove down to the event site Saturday afternoon early to cheer on my family & the team! They were doing very well, I also was lucky enough that my oldest son Nate (he's currently stuck in N.H. by Snowmageddon 2016, and just received his FTA Certification yesterday BTW), and his wife Donna brought out our grandchildren.

Even though I had to leave the first FIRST event early...Before, the elim's., they were qualified up there near the very top of the board. Celeste kept me updated all the way to the finals...The team were Finalists, and Noah was a Driver in just his Freshman year.

I was quite proud, but I was also by now FIRST BIT & Team 60 BIT ALSO. 2 short weeks later, I enjoyed mentoring at the Las Vegas Regional and the team won with 987 (Alliance Captain), and 2984. then a few weeks later, we were off to St. Louis where 254 & 973 won their first World Championship title(s), and 111 won their third....THE REST As they say, IS HISTORY.

Just 5 years later. Nate is now an FTA, I volunteer for FIRST at events throughout the season incl. The Championships. Celeste is still a year round Education Multi-Teams FIRST Mentor, I am an FRC Season Team Mentor.

We are now a FIRST FAMILY FIRSTLY. (We owe FIRST & the Team and the other mentors a huge debt, and are paying it forward together slowly). Noah is off in college (an ASU Sophomore who now visits us on school holidays), and he will come back as a strong FIRST mentor as soon as that degree is finished OK? <I(;-)~. Don't you doubt that for a second George & Co.

BTW, The Eagles miss me a little, OK, some of them do. I miss my friends in the FOE a bunch, but we still see each other occasionally, as those are lifelong cultivated friendships.

Someday...I will be old, bald, blind and grey, and not able to even crawl up on the porch w/ the big dawgs during the "FRC Build Season"....But, it surely won't be in 2016. (I am regrettably old, I am almost bald...and I am very grey, and I am nearsighted....But, I'm also an anal Type "A" techie mechanic, who can stay awake longer than most. And I'm not finished learning just yet....But, I have found & learned that teaching is actually much harder than it looks for this doer.

Oh, I can learn anything...Just don't take away my internet! And...Volunteering for a field side job cures the nearsighted issues completely. You think it is exciting from the stands...Get closer.

When Volunteering. Every FIRST Event, feels like the first event.

Machine Shop 2012
" " " 2013
Practice Field 2014
Field Supervisor 2014
Field Reset 2015
" " " 2015
Official Scorer/Field Reset 2015 "Hopper"
Field Assembly/Disassembly/Shipping 2013~2016
Part Time Keeper Of The Castles 2016...See you at The Championships. Rally that Kingdom.