UNgracious UNprofessionalism

[Mc Kenna]

I'm going to agree with Karthik and his John Abele quote and take it one step further, the only kids who lose in FIRST are those who don't participate. Regardless of having a record like 254 or being that team that has never brought home a single banner the students the kids are better for having participated in a program like this.

Every program teaches it student's different things 254's kids come out of that program with a truly impressive skill set but look at a group of kids like two time(!) rookie-all-star winning Apollo 4354 maybe they can't CAD to industry standards but any one who thinks FIRST hasn't changed their lives for the better is crazy. I don't think any one can say which program is "better" we(FIRST) just need to as a whole need to get better in seeing the wonderful things about every program.

The powerhouse teams, get held up under a microscope, and not shockingly occasionally kids/mentors/parents fall short. These occasions seem to be all anyone wants to remember not that time that a powerhouse helped them out or hosted a workshop ect.

But at the risk of sounding like a broken record at champs or your next regional off season event or even just send the powerhouse teams an email talk to them. Use common sense (if they are just leaving for a match come back later, if it is clearly broken come back later, ect be polite) you will find all of the powerhouse or HOF teams would love to help if they can.

There is no shame in admitting someone is better than you at something doesn't make them a better person just means they have skill you haven't figured out yet. The only shame is if you are too proud to ask for help and to learn.