Clowns or Announcers?

[fhobart]

Get off my lawn!!

[Big Ideas]

I am amazed by ALL of the MCs. These are people that, in the context of FIRST, said to themselves--This needs to be done, I can do it, I'll try my best. To be engaging to a big group, finding and maintaining a persona, is very important and a lot of work. As far as I know Blair is still the only "Professional" MC in FRC. My silly hat is off to each and every one, Bob Costa-ish to channeling Soupy Sales.

I has a student once that was MC for an FLL qualifier. He started out like an "FRC" student. Very flat/quiet/unengaged. I reminded him that we needed "DJ" Kyle out there (he was a very good party DJ). When he went back out as "DJ Kyle" the energy in the room went up 20X and the event was a huge success. Costume/persona/shtick are very important. If a chance to be bigger then life is your reason to volunteer for MC work, then go for it.

Last thing, for mentors that don't get enjoyment out of the loudness and playacting, LOOK AROUND at your students and everyone else and get YOUR joy out of their unbridled joie de vie.