Sad Day for Seniors

[Elyse Holguin]

I've had to decline my Drexel/FIRST scholarship due to financial reasons, but in doing so, I've committed myself to Purdue University, where I will mentor 461 for as long as they want me to. My team still has IRI as long as we go, which we should, and after that I suppose I take the leap into 71 alumni-dom after an awesome 3 active years on the team (didn't know when to sign up in 9th grade).

FIRST has helped me grow in so many ways, and has to have been the best activity I could have gotten into during my high school years. The impression FIRST has made on me is so strong, I'm going to need a 12-step program eventually.

It is a tough day for seniors, I know how it feels and I tell you that it sucks. FIRST was the best part of High School, but im liking the whole transition from student to mentor. Its a new challenge...more responsibility, more leadership, and higher expectations. Now that HS is over, your FIRST career is just getting started (as some have said)

So im going to leave you with a rough quote (that im guessing how this went, but you should get the point of this) on starting a new team (if this applies to you) from my friend, Amanda Morrison (amanda dont butcher me for getting this wrong).

"Starting a new team is a huge responsibility and it takes a lot of time, even though Dean wants you to do it, don't sacrifice your education to start a team if you aren't up to it."

...or something close to that....but you get the point


I tell you that college is a busy place...I wish all graduating seniors best of luck in the future and I hope to see all of you participating in FIRST for years to come.

D.J.