ATTENTION STUDENT LEADERS - Submit your Woodie Flowers Awards

[Dave Verbrugge]

The words of each WFA winner in this thread ring true. Hopefully, mine will too. We all know that the R in FIRST is for Recognition.

At FIRST competitions, numerous trophies, medallions and banners are awarded by FIRST. Clearly, this action is a form of recognition. In fact, this recognition is very special recognition that highlights some special achievement. Many teams present peer awards as a form of recognition of the effort another team. Even the exchanging of buttons, pins, dog tags .... is a form of recognizing the value in a fellow competitor by a willingness to exchange a little of what you have for a little of what they have.

Even if your team has been in FIRST from the beginning and you have never been awarded a FIRST trophy (SPECIAL recognition) - the need for you and your team has been recognized! Dean and Woodie conceived FIRST before there was even one team. They recognized the need for you before you ever knew about it. A few short years from now, FIRST will be older than any student on a FIRST team. So Dean, Woodie and FIRST will have recognized the need for you before you were even born. The referees, judges and all the volunteers at the competition recognize the need for you by donating their time to help with the events. Similarly, the sponsors recognize the need for you by opening their checkbooks.

Now, let's turn the tables. There are over 1100 FIRST teams this year. How many would exist without mentors? The WFA is the one unique opportunity to recognize one of the mentors on your team in a formal way. It does not cost a dime. The format is already in place and it is simply a matter of you taking the opportunity presented to you. 20% submittal rate is sad. Think what grade you would have received on your last test if you had managed only 20% correct.

Also, about 90% of the 2005 teams returned for 2006 and another 200 teams are new to the competition this year. If 90% of the ~1000 teams of 2005 returned, about 100 teams did not. Why? I am certain there are a number of reasons, but it would be very unfortunate if it was because the students didn't take the time to recognize the efforts of the mentors.

Take the time - submit one of your mentors for the WFA.

Dave