2004 Robot Rodeo

[Barry Bonzack]

The first FIRST experience I really had was the 2003 Robot Rodeo where I really caught the bug and started getting into it. Now the 2004 Robot Rodeo has passed, and I have ganged many things the past year that I will remember forever, whether it be memories of build season, the knowledge I have ganged from my mentors, and the one thing that I truly hope stays with me the rest of my life... the friendships I have made.

The more robotics competitions I go to, the less it seems like the teams in competition, but instead just a bunch of friends gathering together to run what they have each have been working on.

This is more than the normal gracious professionalism of teams that are willing to help others for no reason other than the fact that there is a team in need of help. Teams have seemed to truly formed bonds with members of other teams, and they have included me in this, what a wonderful feeling. FIRST really truly is not about the robots, is it?

I look forward to the 2005 season with all the knowledge and friendships I will again gain because of FIRST, and I will personally continue grow and better myself as a person. You can bet I will be at the Rodeo next year as a college student, encouraging high schoolers in my area to get involved.