pic: The end of my 4 years in FIRST as a participant

[yarden.saa]

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[Jimmy Nichols]

It is just the beginning. Mentoring your team, volunteering at events, starting a new team, mentoring a new team, the possibilities are endless.

[JaneYoung]

What an amazing journey you have had, Yarden!

Well done.

Jane

[Dancin103]

That's awesome! I'm sure your last 4 years are going to be as awesome as the next 4!

[techhelpbb]

Our MORT motto: "First we will be best, then we will be first"...

So logically:

You are in FIRST so you are first.
You can't leave FIRST or you'll be second, then you won't be first.

And...in a shout out to Dean's father Jack's participation in morbid tales like:
"Tales from The Crypt"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kamen

Haven't you ever seen the "Twilight Zone" episode "A Game of Pool"?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Game_of_Pool_%281961%29

You can go fishing but only in the off season

[Richard Wallace]

מזל טוב, Yarden. You will do well as a mentor and/or volunteer in FIRST. I count those roles as participation, too.

But be sure to devote the correct attention to your next career-building goals -- university, serving your country, starting a job, or whatever you've chosen.

[DonRotolo]

Yarden, go get your degree now, and then come back and do for some new kids what your mentors did for you. The rest of us will still be here, waiting for you! Good luck, and that's a nice collection of hardware you have there.

[Macktack]

I am the son of a mentor and at our last event we saw a former student and team member now mentoring a team.

[purduephotog]

Work towards your advanced degrees now, never forgetting what you learned. If, after your 2nd year of college you find yourself having time, find a different team to mentor. When you graduate and settle, find whichever team you want to mentor.
Good luck. Tomorrow is always a new day of opportunity.

[techhelpbb]

I agree with the other mentors to find a balance for your time.

However, just remember that you don't need to get so involved in FIRST that you can't leave for 6 weeks and get anything else done.

Pick a responsible level of commitment and I suspect, like many of our former students, you'll find the time to drop by to help out. Every little bit counts.

[Cynette]

I love your collection and the memories they represent! Congratulations on your success this far and may your hard work continue to provide you success in the future!

[techhelpbb]

This topic has just made me realize that if you're a high school freshman participating in FRC, I was actually a FIRST mentor before you were born ! I remember when Ernie wasn't actually involved with FIRST !

I am officially claiming my FIRST elderly rights including:

Softer food
Ample usage of a cane
The right to listen to music on cassette tapes and records
The right to provide my own first aid without a permission slip
(Hah you can tell my Mother on me for that she's graduating nursing in May)

I'd tell you all about how in my day we drove our robot uphill both ways, but this year you all basically did just that with the ramps.

That should give you all an ample idea of the gravitational pull of FIRST.
You say it's over today...but you'll be back...and we'll be glad to have you.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

yarden,
Every once in a while you have to look back to see where you have been. It is the only way to know if you are moving forward. It is nice to see you are moving right along. Keep up the good work.

[skimoose]

One door closes, but another more important one opens. FIRST alumni are the future of FIRST. Mentoring and volunteering are more rewarding than you might imagine. Help the next generation of students experience what you have enjoyed for the last four years.

[yarden.saa]

thanks for the comments,
The reason I posted this is because I am probably going to the university next year(to the Technion which is not near to my city)