Here's to FIRST

[Lora Knepper]

I got to thinking today as I was reading my email...it's been nearly seven years since I left FIRST to try to figure out my own path. Seven years...it couldn't possibly have been that long, but it has. This coming season will mark a full decade since I was a nervous freshman rookie on team 69. Wow.

This year, I'll be the rookie again. A new team perhaps, a new city and state for sure. I've been lurking on these forums for the past few weeks wondering where in the heck I belong any more. Things have changed - and have grown to unbelievable proportions since I've been away. It's absolutely incredible! I see a throng of new faces and names, and a few of the old standbys who couldn't leave FIRST if they wanted to I finally saw a video of last year's competition, and the level of skill shown by every last team amazed me.

So here's to FIRST...to those who laid the foundations for us all in Manchester, NH...to the thousands of students, teachers, and mentors that are still keeping the program going strong today. You all amaze me. And coming into the 2008 season, I hope to find my niche again among you all.