pic: 1251 Machined Parts

[David Guzman]

Originally Posted by pilum40

... I go back and think about why I'm coaching this team. Not for the prettiest robot, not for the top finish EVERY year, but the competition, friend making, and impression that FIRST gives my kids!...

This is what makes FIRST such a great program. We started just as you have described; 9 students, 1 teacher, and 1 robot… no CAD… no engineers… no machinist… no big sponsors.

Through a lot of hard work we found a sponsor and build a relationship to last years to come. I was one of those 9 kids, and now 12 years later work for this same sponsor as a mechanical engineer. Our relationship has grown and now we have access to all the manufacturing equipment after hours.

Keep working hard with those kids and the people in your community because you never know where you will be in 10 years. Inspiring great alumni is your best investment for the future of your team and other teams.

Here is an article by By Anthony Analetto, COO for Sonny's Enterprises. In it, he explains the FIRST program to the Carwash industry and explains how it has changed the way we do things.

Article: http://www.carwashmag.com/home/artic...039f6ac76.html