Tier 1 teams

[thewizard16]

Originally Posted by Alaina

My team always pays their own way. Last year it was around $370. The year before that, when we qualifiied just a few weeks before Houston, it was $600. Everybody was perfectly willing to pay.
Money is not a factor, experiencing a FIRST Championship event is priceless.
I'm really sorry your team doesn't find it necessary to go. That's the only persuading thing I can say...

I really don't think that's an option for everyone. Our team works together to do fundraising, and if we get enough money to do something more, then that's what we'll do. Speaking personally, I know that there is no way that I, or my family, could come up with $600, or even $370, (especially this year with all the graduation expenses, senior expenses, etc.) for me to be part of a FIRST team, whereas my personal fundraisings (AKA, people you hit up for money) for the team, aside from group projects, can bring in much more. People are a lot more willing to sponsor a team with money than a person, and I don't think a person's financial status should limit their participation in FIRST.

[Alaina]

Joseph:
Just because Napa is surrounded by vineyards doesn't mean each citizen owns one...Let me tell you, my family is so far from financially stable it's not even funny. Last year I got a job, and I paid my own way through robotics.
Usually the cost to Atlanta is made in 2 or 3 payments, so that makes it a little bit easier. We don't ask team parents for money, I don't like that idea very much...But extra fundraising (what a concept ) would be good to lower the cost of each individual.


thewizard16:
I never said that a person's financial status should limit their participation in FIRST. I know that if an individual is in need of help there are others willing to help. Most of the time the school helps out. I don't know how but some teams manage to fund raise enough so people don't have to pay much at all...



I fully understand what both of you are saying. I hope I didn't come across as some kind of snob. In all seriousness, I come from a very low-class family. But I work really hard to be able to participate in FIRST. I know that some people work harder than me, and I know that some people don't. I wasn't saying that the people on my team have money to spare. I was more trying to say that it is disappointing to see an entire team pass up a chance for Atlanta because of the price tag when there's even still time to fundraise. Meh.