Here's to those who can't make it

[10intheCrunch]

I'd just like to say great job to all the teams that earned a place at Nationals and are unable to make it because of funding or other issues. I know that 852 can't come, and they did an awesome job allied with us in Silicon Valley. 753, another great team allied with us in Sacramento, is also missing from the list.

Let's hear from everyone else those teams that deserve Nationals but can't make it. Hats off to you guys.

[sanddrag]

Thanks. I really appreciate someone taking the time to remember those forgotten ones. Even if it is in general terms. It means a lot.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

yes thank you very much for the condolence(sp?) No funding = No Fun

[BandChick]

I know what it's like not to be able to go. Though 1089 by all means did not win a spot, last year when we were eligible to attend we could not afford it. condolences to those of you that can't make it as a team, but i encourage those of you that can, come on your own and immerse yourselves in the spirit of FIRST gone international!

[jjdebner]

Yes, thanks alot we are also sorry for those who can't go. BUT we CAN look at the glass half full and say, "There is ALWAYS next year".

[activemx]

MVRT 115 has been to nationals every single year, except this year where its in need of funding and costs are high as always. Not only we have have funds for the registration but our mentors too. We will not be able to make it to nationals this year.

[Kel D]

what about the teams that didnt make it at all...like us

but yeah im not bitter. good luck to all teams going!

[Cactus_Robotics]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Thanks. I really appreciate someone taking the time to remember those forgotten ones. Even if it is in general terms. It means a lot.

Our Team really wishes you could come! Great Job 696 W'ell miss you and will never forget Arizona 2004

[BlueOrion]

Personally, as well as from our entire team, 272 should be going to nat'ls. They truly deserve it, especially this year, having won Chairmans at Pittsburgh, #1 seed and Semi-Finalists at Philly, and Frank Larkin winning Woodie Flowers at Pittsburgh as well...if I could make it happen, they would definitely be going. I'm almost willing to give up my spot to let at least one person go for their team to try and win Nat'l Chairmans...I would do that if I felt I didn't deserve to go myself, but I've put so many hours in, I'm going. It's nat'ls!

[Meredith Rice]

Man, it is such a disappointment not going this year We finished off the year great at Palmetto, but that makes me want to go even more since we finally became competative not doing so well at our first regional in Philly. But alas, we did not get the win and therefore didnt qualify.

I am still trying to convince my dad to let me go down to Atlanta to volunteer but he believes it is a waste of time an money. Is anyone going down with out a team just to volunteer. It definately is not the same as competing, but just to be there would be awesome.

[minic@HYPER69]

Originally Posted by jjdebner

Yes, thanks alot we are also sorry for those who can't go. BUT we CAN look at the glass half full and say, "There is ALWAYS next year".

I have no next year! I am a senior and the alumni on my team dont get much appreciation so i will mostlikely not be returning to my team next year But i will be looking for a team in need of a driveteam coach.

P.S. We won 2 regionals and are still not going!

[Yan Wang]

We found out yesterday that we won't be going to the Championship event in Atlanta. Ah well, there's always next year.

So to 33, you guys don't have to swing over on the way South to pick us up. But you do have to go win some more trophies Good luck.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Fireboidsgrl

Man, it is such a disappointment not going this year We finished off the year great at Palmetto, but that makes me want to go even more since we finally became competative not doing so well at our first regional in Philly. But alas, we did not get the win and therefore didnt qualify.

I am still trying to convince my dad to let me go down to Atlanta to volunteer but he believes it is a waste of time an money. Is anyone going down with out a team just to volunteer. It definately is not the same as competing, but just to be there would be awesome.

I swear, I didn't tip the Firebirds off to my plan at Palmetto. Because that's exactly what I'm doing.

Team queuing on Thursday (the email said you had to be able to take control of a situation--got that), field reset on Friday, and Saturday I'm doing crowd control with NASA's replica Mars rover.

Originally Posted by me, in my email saying I'd help on Saturday (which I wasn't scheduled to do at first)

Sure. People say I'm a little spaced-out anyway.

(Note: If little green men start coming out of it, I will demonstrate the only time in the history of FIRST Frenzy: Raising the Bar that an object has hung from the bar in autonomous mode--me!)

They can't wait to meet me.

[IMDWalrus]

At the beginning of the year, we were told that we'd have to win at one of our two regionals (Detroit and Palmetto) to make it to Nationals.

We lost in the quarterfinals at both regionals.

I'm disappointed that we won't be going to Atlanta, but this year was actually a better experience for me than 2003 was. I learned quite a bit more this year - a direct result of being moved to the Programming team. I've made some great friends on the team, at least one of whom I can easily see remaining friends with for years to come. I've finally demonstrated that Gracious Professionalism is part of my life now - I spent most of Palmetto with 507, helping them to get their robot running and improving on it once it began working correctly.

We had our small victories - seeing our robot (finally!) hang in a match in Palmetto and picking our alliance for the first time in the team's history spring to mind. We've also got our one huge accomplishment - winning the Sportsmanship award at Palmetto.

The year was great, and going to Atlanta would have been a great way to cap it off. Still...I've got one year left with 818. I'm hoping for the best for next year.

[Danakona]

To those who would care. Team 852 is in fact attending the nationals, we recently decided. Good luck to all teams.