Anybody else burned out?

[Matt Attallah]

Originally posted by team222badbrad
I believe that I have gotten more out of robotics than any other class can offer...

I don't think I can describe it any better.

After 4 (four) years in robotics, let me say what a rush. I have been through the good times, the bad, and the weird. It's not so much FIRST, but the people that can carry out it's meaning. My mentors - Bob, Dave, Gary (to name a few)- have brought me so much joy in my life. They allowed me to go on to college. They have showed me what it feel like to truly be on a team. I have made great friendships on my team - not to mention the others among other teams. My mentors have been through hell and back. My first few years we had everything under control. Kids would fund raise, engineers would build robot, and than kids that had the $$ would go to regionals. About my 3rd year into it - the teacher left, the program was almost demolished, and we also lost our huge room. My mentors stuck through it - thick and thin - to make sure kids had something to do. In my 'hood, people here are all blue collar. They think they have to dislike their jobs and work long hours just to make ends meat. These mentors have given them, as well as me, a future.

I am no where near burnt out. I still have at least 5+ years in me. I realize that I have never been on the mentor side, but it feels so good when you over come that problem that some people think you can't. It feels good when you have people looking up to you and when you help others. I don't think that I can ever get over that feeling that I have had over the past 4 years. I'll never forget - in 2001 - we went to VCU. We had a new code that we wanted to upload, but our head programmer was going to meet us a day late in VCU. Well, we uploaded it, and nothing happened. Our arm moved - but that was it. Well, I looked over the code, did a few cut and pasts - and viola. I had a program that allowed us to compete. I will want more kids to experience that feeling - that rush - of showing leadership even from a student side.

What I am basically saying is that I think it all depends on your reactions with FIRST. Mine have been as smooth as velvet - even at times it seemed like the road was yanked from underneath us. I have and always will be involved with FIRST. Even if it is just through these forums - or actually starting a team my self - I will hold up the Honor of being a FIRST precipitant. It's just too important for me to just ignore it after the best 4 (four) years of my life

Thank you FIRST, my mentors, the volunteers, and students. I shall never forget any of you. You are what make FIRST this awesome organism that will continue to interest kids in science and technology! THANK YOU!!