The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST

[kmusa]

when a student says "I hate school. I do not get inspired by school. But I am inspired by FIRST to do well in school, and to improve myself."

[216Robochick288]

This is a great thread!

I continue to be in FIRST because I see how much the younger kids are getting out of this. I mentored FLL and VEX for the past few years, and have even convinced a large portion of them to join FRC when they can!

...because my FIRST experience and my team has shaped me.

...because I can't find a better way to spend my senior prom than watching 2 of my teams make it to nationals, [6th and 22nd] and hanging out with some of my greatest friends.

... because I had the happiest and saddest moment of my life all in about 1 minute. I cheered as my sister team made it to national level SF, then the saddest as I realize that it is my last time in FRC cheering on the robot I helped to build.

... because I know in 4 years, my team would be more than happy to take me back as a mentor

[AM846]

It's great to read all of the heartfelt reasons why people love FIRST robotics! I know I continue to be in FIRST because the program has taught me things that I could never hope to learn in school!

We at FIRST 846 recently started a program call "Because robots..." Through this campaign we hope to show the world why robots rock!

We created a website http://becauserobots.org/ where we post videos and articles about why robots are awesome! If anyone has something interesting to share click the "Submit a Post" button and share it with us!

Also, we are encouraging people to complete the phrase "Because robots..." with a short blurb. For example "Because robots can save the world!"

If anyone has a phrase to share please take a picture of yourself holding up your completion to the phrase and submit it on our website. For more instructions, click the "Submit a Picture" button found on the homepage.

We'd love to hear what everyone had to say! Thanks!

[MysterE]

Because it was through FIRST that I could tell my dad, who played football, that his non-athletic son got called Coach for the first time.

Because unlike teaching in a classroom, there is no governmental program telling me how to run a FIRST team.

Because I have an eight year old daughter and a six year old daughter who will need a place to belong when they get to highschool.

For the eyes of a sophomore rookie who wrote our chairmans award essay. I saw her type the last word and when she turned to look at me I saw all of the reasons for FIRST dance within her gaze. I saw pure, unadulterated accomplishment and know she will never be the same.

[coalhot]

The reasons I stay in FIRST?

118, 254 and 1114's robots.

Also, it's fun. It went from it being fun for me as a student, to it being fun for me as an adult. I really don't know of anything else that does that.

FIRST has it's ups and downs, but hey, as long as we're all having fun and learning, it's all that matters...