FIRST: the incredible community

[Cynette]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

...In Atlanta this season, Woodie Flowers came up to me before a match and engaged me in a conversation. How often do Broadway superstars do that?

This really is something special we've got going on here.

I think this highlights the "FI" in FIRST. The "dignitaries" of FIRST don't come to the events, help teams and provide whatever support they can because they want us to idolize them, put them on a pedestal or give them accolades (although sometimes we do that anyway). They come to inspire us and be inspired by us. They come to share their ideas, knowledge and insights. They come because they were once teenagers who needed a push, or were lucky enough to have someone guide them along the way, and they want to be that push or that guide.

As an adult looking at the interaction between the students and the FIRST "celebrities" you can see how healthy of an exchange it is...respect is shown with enthusiasm, admiration is balanced by approachability, passion is shared equally, and inspiration is alive!