The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST

[Koko Ed]

To take a quote I made on Facebook a few weeks ago about the financial sacrifices volunteers make on behalf of serving FIRST: "
It's no big deal really. I chose to do this so I don't mind making a little financial sacrifice. I always thought the definition of volunteering was to give selflessly of oneself without any expectation of reward or reimbursement. I prefer using my vacation time doing FIRST. The people I see at the events aren't just my friends -they're family. I just love being around them. And even though I always looked pissed off and I don't like dancing I always have the time of my life at the event all the time. Even when I'm barking at the kids because they don't do what I ask them to I still love them all. Not just the X-Cat kids. Or the Rolling Thunder kids. Or the G.R.R. kids. Or the Sparx Kids or the Rochester FIRST kids but all of them. They're all my kids and I want to see the best from them and for them so I would sacrifice a hundred time more of myself for their sake. I know of hundred of other mentors just like us who would gladly do the same because we know if we didn't stand up for them then who would?

[kmusa]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

... And even though I always looked pissed off and I don't like dancing I always have the time of my life at the event all the time. ...

Thanks for explaining this, and doing all you do. I was having a hard time resolving your expression with the fact that you seem to be volunteering at just about every event I've attended.

-Karlis

[PayneTrain]

...because as much as I found school to be a waste, the necessity to do well to participate in robotics made me a better student, a more capable learner, and a more balanced and positive attitude...

...because even though I'm red in the face and lost my voice from yelling, I wouldn't trade any day I spent at a competition for anything...

...because I need to know people that get my jokes...

[Dancin103]

Originally Posted by popnbrown

What the reasons are that you continue to be in FIRST.

I have been involved with FIRST for 17 years, and many of you already know that. I started out at the wee age of 5 and have been heavily involved ever since. My greatest highlight in FIRST thus far is being a mentor. FIRST is about the bonds and relationships that are formed, and when those bonds and relationships become as strong as they are you can achieve greatness.

As a first year mentor, I was a bit lost and it was hard to hand everything over to the students, for I had been used to writing awards and designing the robot with other students as a student for 7 plus years, but I found a way and it was done.

But to answer your question, whole heartedly, I do this, I do FIRST, for the students. Day in and day out I am there for them, in school or out of school 24/7 and they all know that. The one thing that I always tell my kids is that, if they are happy I am happy. Because they are the future, and they are the leaders of our team. Their decisions drive what the team does and it is what they want to do. I am in this to give them something to do in and out of school and provide opportunities to them that they otherwise may not encounter. For a few of my students that I have had, furthering their education was not really something they thought about, but after showing them and inspiring them, it is 100% possible, they look at higher education and create paths for themselves that they may not have deemed possible.

Teaching the students new and innovative things, while guiding them down different and inspirational paths in life is why I do this. I'm not one to "flaunt" in any way shape or form, but I do this to be a role model. Knowing a student changed their "track" for college and where they went because you inspired them to do so, means the world to me. And to hear the students say we can do this and we can do anything we set our minds to, really gets me going and keeps me going, because they never give up.

And last but certainly not least, I do this because this team is my family and they reassure that to me each and everyday.

[FRC4ME]

I continue to do FIRST because I see everything that's wrong with the world and wish there was some way I could help make it better. Then I remember there's a place where I can.

To me, FIRST is the reference implementation of life.

[AshWalker]

Because this is the hardest thing I've ever done.

Why do I do it? Why does Rice play Texas? Why does BC play the Red Sox? Not because it is easy, but because it is hard. I have witnessed this program do amazing things. Kids who should not have graduated high school have gone to college on scholarships and become engineers. Kids who have it rough at home or are facing learning challenges find a place to fit in. Kids who need a family and a place to belong find one.

The best victories are the ones you work for. This program has shown me the value of hard work over the course of years. Few other things can do that.

And really, this is the most selfish thing I have ever done.

[sanddrag]

...because when I was a student in FIRST, we all actually watched and listened to Dean's speaches during kickoff, and thought very highly of them. I'm not necessarily saying we don't now, but his words were more powerful the first time I heard them as a 10th grader.

Now, I have basically sidelined the rest of my life to teach in the very school where I was once a student, and I am helping shape this team into what I dreamed it would be over a decade ago. There is never a dull moment.

[Johnny_5]

I continue to be in FIRST because this is the hardest fun I will ever have.

It inspires people because of its level of difficulty, and truly the ones who are inspired by this believe that it is fun.

[LemmingBot]

I continue in FIRST because I'm not looked down upon for not knowing how to do something, but held up because I want to learn.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by LemmingBot

I continue in FIRST because I'm not looked down upon for not knowing how to do something, but held up because I want to learn.

This is one of the best posts I've ever read.

I will stay in FIRST as long as I have the ability to work with students like this. ^

[davepowers]

Quite simply, I will continue to be in this program to give students the opportunities FIRST gave me. I wouldn't be where I am today without FIRST.

Four years ago I was arrested for smoking Marijuana in the bathroom at my school, while I am not proud of it, it is one of the things that led me where I am today. For the months following my arrest I struggled to find purpose, GUS was there when I needed help. From the mentors to students everyone was supportive and helped my nix my previous life. I owe a lot to FIRST, so I will do everything I can to continue to giving back until the day I die.

-D

[Moriarty]

Because it's hard.
Where homework and class rigor fail, robotics fills in the gaps. FIRST has endless levels of difficulties. Every year there is so much that you can do to improve, and when you get all the way to the top, you keep going and you push the bar higher (ahem, robonauts).

Because it's fun.
What could be more fun than bringing an idea to life, competing in a packed stadium of cheering robo-fans.

Because it's addicting.
I'm browsing Chief Delphi in class. I dream robots. I stop watching movies to watch webcasts. I wait an extra hour for the late train home because I didn't want to leave the robot.

Because it's life-changing
The most alluring to me. I came into robotics a timid, slightly depressed, annoying freshman. I have come out a leader with experience not only in telling people what to do, but real people skills -- how to talk to people, how to give a presentation (turns out it is much easier when you love the subject).

Looking forward to seeing you guys at Midwest Regional! (and perhaps visiting as a UIUC student next year! While I haven't decided on college yet I am have been accepted and am heavily considering UIUC)

[Storcky]

Because FIRST is what brought me to where I am today.

Because I can teach a student something one day and the next have her be better at it than I am.

Because I have students giving me instruction on what to do to help in other systems of the robot.

Because I have a student begging me everyday to install Inventor on the team laptop so he can use it.

Because when one of my team's schools was closed for a week for a snowstorm, the other opened theirs up as they had for two years before I started when the team didn't even have a place to meet in their own school.

Because I walked into a team meeting on Kickoff for the first time and instantly felt at home in a room full of strangers.

Because I can read through this thread and relate to almost every one of these responses and hope for the rest.

Because I want to inspire these kids the way I was inspired 9 years ago.

[popnbrown]

Another one.

At our celebration party, the head coach of 4096, was giving a speech about how and why he's doing this. His voice started breaking up, but he wanted to say something along the lines of, the real reason he was doing this and his measure of success are how far the students on the team go to inspire others, like the collegiate mentors we have.

That was super touching, meant a lot and I completely agree. My fellow peers that mentor and do college are fricking amazing. It's soo inspiring to see a team that is mentored by people only a few years older than the members on the team.

So another reason, why I continue to be involved, is because of all of those that graduate their teams and high schools but never give up and continue to be involved in FIRST because it's a way of life. They just can't let go. I continue to be in FIRST because I have to.

[popnbrown]

One more reason:

4/26/2012 @ 6:00 AM to 4/28/2012 @ 10:30 pm