The Responsibility of Being a Role Model

[JaneYoung]

This is a great topic that you have introduced, Andy. There is plenty of opportunity here for good discussion regarding role models in FIRST. As with everything, there are going to be many perspectives, viewpoints, and attitudes regarding role models and what that means regarding responsibilities to the 'fans', the younger generation of FIRSTers who admire them.

I weigh in very closely to the thoughts you have expressed. At the same time, I understand that no one is perfect and young adults have to develop and mature as they go - sometimes leaving behind a path strewn with too much public information. That is easy to do these days with social networks, blogs, instant everything. It is for them to learn, sometimes through very hard lessons, to be more careful with what they put out there.

And hopefully, in the role model, celebrity, rock star aspect of things, there are adults that young FIRSTers have access to, that can mentor them in the realities of setting their idols too high up on a pedestal. If that happens, the idol has no where to go but to fall off.

It's a great topic. We have so many wonderful people in FIRST that we can admire and respect.