Dear Rookies - It only gets better....

[Carter]

oh and this was a really good post.

[Denman]

Really inspirational post. I applaud you.
At New York City, the 759'ers will be around, and willing to help if we can, it looks like we have quite a few rookies there. Remember, as i said before, 99.9999% of FIRSTers are really nice.
btw whats the lowest rookie team number?

[Gene F]

This really IS a great post!! Hats off to the one that started it!

I was thinking. Every competition I've been to seems to organize the pits numerically. That means all the rookie teams are grouped together at one end. WHAT IF!!! The pit assignments were folded so that the most experienced team was right next to the newest rookie and so on. Now that would be great. It would put the rookies in direct contact with teams that can help. It would also mean that the experienced teams would be close to their resources when the help is needed. This might be the time to contact the event coordinators and see if this can be arranged!

Our team is more than willing to help any team in need(you don't have to be a rookie). Look for us under the big white balloon (Provided the venues allow it ) If not look for team 343 - Metal in Motion. We'll be at Florida, Palmetto and the Championship.

Good luck everyone, lets have a great season!!

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by Gene F

This really IS a great post!! Hats off to the one that started it!

I was thinking. Every competition I've been to seems to organize the pits numerically. That means all the rookie teams are grouped together at one end. WHAT IF!!! The pit assignments were folded so that the most experienced team was right next to the newest rookie and so on. Now that would be great. It would put the rookies in direct contact with teams that can help. It would also mean that the experienced teams would be close to their resources when the help is needed. This might be the time to contact the event coordinators and see if this can be arranged!

This has been Standard Operating Procedure in the West for at least the past three years. It eliminates the "rookie gheto" quite effectively. Though I did like what they did in Atlanta last year. All of the rookies in all divisions were on the main aisles. So while they were all grouped together, they were in a prominent place and you were practically forced to walk past them. Either way helps get them the attention they need.

[tiffany34990]

Hats off to all teams veterans and rookies!!
One thing that is sooo great about FIRST is just everyone coming together. We all help each other even though we play against each other. And I think all the rookie teams are going see the interaction which is great.

Even teams that have been around remember we are always there for each other. Just ask and someone will find someone to help you. The rookies on veteran teams have to learn that too I feel. I know it's kinda weird to walk up to a strange person and just ask for all the scouting info but hey everyone does it and it's okay.

Build season its over but at the games you learn so much and make always a new friend. So what the bot is not done. Remember FIRST is not just about building a robot, it truely is something greater. Every team has something to offer to the competition. So no matter what went wrong during the 6 weeks or what goes wrong. I'm sure everyone will walk away winning something. Yes, as they all say we all are winners.

There are tons of crazy S.P.A.M. people around at UCF, Palmetto and the Championship all willing to help of course. We generally have the mini-lathe and mini-bridgeport so yeah if you need a part made stop by with drawings and stock and we'll be surely glad to help if we can.

Good Luck to All!! It's been a great build season. All teams are the same with the ups and downs so nobody is alone in FIRST ever. Some had the same problem somewhere...

Happy Trails!!!

[Billfred]

Alright, I'm not usually a fan of bump posts...and to be honest, it's taking every bit of ENGL 101 in me to keep from just posting "bump."

We all want to help you get to be the best team possible. All you've gotta do is ask, and I'll bet my dollars to your donuts that you'll have enough help to get back on your wheels/feet/treads.

That said, even if you read the post last season, go back and re-read Gary's post. Then convince him to come to Palmetto for once.

[Nita]

Awesome post! Thank you Billfred for bumping this thread or I would have missed it! <3

[ChuNalt787]

i couldnt have said it before. I was the only veteran on my rookie team and you really see the downfall of lack of experience the second time ur on a rookie team. competition is gonna be fun tho

[yodameister]

Thanks for the 'bump' as well. As a rookie team it is encouraging to know that we will not be alone in the big world of FIRST robotics.

[Gary Dillard]

Originally Posted by Billfred

Then convince him to come to Palmetto for once.

If I can schedule a business trip with a connection through Charlotte that Wednesday evening, can you pick me up at the airport?

[kaye]

I just wanted to say thanks for a great thread.

We're a rookie team, and though our kids have won some prizes in years past, they've never tackled anything on the scale of FIRST.

I agree with a lot of what y'all have said, and I want to add my own personal thoughts on what we've all accomplished.

Our team shipped a completely functional bot, and we've also submitted entries to the AVA and website awards cats. We'll see what happens at our regionals -- in Tel Aviv-- next month.

I mentored our web and animation crews, and since this is my first time mentoring, I just wanted to say how mind-blowing it has been to see kids and their ideas EMPOWERED.

They really had to leave the "I" at the door, and learn to talk team. To start out with one kid's sketch--like we did--and have that sketch evolve into a full-fledged mascot/mission/movie took time and teamwork--and vision. I am so proud that each kid in my two crews got behind an idea--even if it wasn't his own--and helped to make it a group success.

I can see how proud THEY are too--and I feel truly blessed and energized by this whole process.

[orelinde]

Thank you for the Inspiring post. It means a lot when you are a rookie team and very nervous. Our team is quite lucky this year we have a regional meeting a state away we will be able to attend as spectators so we can see what it is like but for many teams this is a first run and so we are soo nervous. Thank you for the encouragement.

[gondorf]

this is a very inspiring post. after all of the problems that we have had over this rookie year it is good to know that all is not over and not to give up hope

[Dan Petrovic]

If you're robot decides to break in a match don't discouraged because it broke, be excited! It's a great way to make friends!

In Cleveland last year, one rookie robot broke down in the middle of a Practice match and began to smoke. One of our members spent the rest of the time helping them fix it.

Originally Posted by Gary Dillard

...some had to fight school board policy to compete...

On our 11th year we even had to fight School Board Policy...

We moved from the area our sponsor gave to us to our school this year.



Very beautiful piece... (yes, I called it a piece) I was almost brought to tears

[the_short1]

very inspirational post. i read it last year, but i read it again and it still feels good. We shipped a full functioning robot, but only after a solid final week of around the clock work every day. and even today, our practice robot is not 100% complete.