Girls,Why did you join FIRST???

[Marisa Russo]

Although I learned about FIRST too late in life to actually compete on a team, I have to admit that like many of you - I joined by accident. Since work (DeVry) was the way I found out about FIRST, in the beginning it was more of a "snmart org to be involved with" than the right org to give my time to.

At his point, I identify with Beth - the bug has got me - hook, line and sinker! Not only am I continually impressed by the students, mentors, educators, parents and everyone else involved with FIRST, but I'm excited by the possibilities that the future holds.

Since I've always been what you could call a "traditional" girl (it didn't matter that my natural intelligences for science were above an beyond the rest of of my strengths...I was still guided toward the humanities instead of engineering) - it inspires me to meet and encourage so many young ladies (like those of you here - and then some) with exceptional engineering (and problem solving) prowess.

It would be great to start the FIRST Femmes (or something like that)... Our purpose would be to encourage young girls with potential to get involved. The disproportionate amount of males to females in engineering is sad - I'm the perfect example of someone with a lot of potential that went on to a more traditional "girl" field bc I though I was "supposed" to. grrrrrr...

I'm currently 10 years out of high school, and what I care most about now is helping more and more young women understand that sky's the limits. As the largest minority group in the world, women need to band together to help eachother learn, grow and excel. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who wants to jump on the soapbox with me to actually do something tangible.

Who says girls can't be cute, fun AND SMART?!?