Cheering, standing ovations, and required team actions during matches and awards

[Jacqui]

I agree with loads of people. I think that cheering for other teams is very respectful. They worked hours upon hours, days upon days, and weeks upon weeks to get that far. Why not let them know that their hard work and efforts got them as far as they did, and that they are doing well? I know that I personally love it when my team gets awards, and people cheer for us. It makes the whole trip just worth it there. There is no greater feeling to me than right when you get an award, and you hear people cheering. I also know that other people love that sense of accomplishment, so I cheer for them. One of my nightmares of FIRST is that a team gets an award, and there is complete silence. Just think, how would you feel if you were that team. I would just run out crying.
Also, with dancing and singing, I find that it is really fun, and keeps you awake with loads of energy. It's also fun just to dance and look at other people dancing just as crazy as you are. You also get to learn new dances.
About the people who complain about all of that. I believe that they should get there earlier to get seats in the front, or as someone mentioned before, sit on the outer limits of the stadium. Why should people stop having fun because a few people are being cranky and wanting to ruin the fun?
I do have a thing with the big signs. My team has them, and I believe that it is ok to have them as long as your not blocking everyone else's view during a match. We lean ours on the railings, so other teams that are scouting behind ours can see what is going on in the match. But in between matches, I don't have a problem with people waving them about. It shows that they have team spirit, and that they enjoy being there to have fun and see their hard work in use.

Sorry for the uber longness of this post.