QotW [05-11-03]: Forging Friendships

[JVN]

Originally posted by Andy Baker
FIRST is like a "family", where we have 1 main thing in common: that we went through the 6 week build process. The fact that we all went through this process together bonds us, kinda like a family.

So who is the crazy uncle, no one talks about?

I agree 100%. Even during the roughest times in this competition, there was always someone I could turn to, that kept me going. I've got "a few" years left in me because of the people I've met, and the fun we've had together.

[EddieMcD]

Originally posted by Amanda Morrison
While FIRST's main mission is to create an environment that promotes lifelong learning, many times friendships and relationships between students, mentors, and families are formed. Some of these friendships have lasted throughout FIRST's history; meanwhile, some have just begun. Although last week M.'s question dealt with the discrimination some have experienced, FIRST's environment is generally aimed to be warm, friendly place to be.

Question of the Week 05-11-03: What kind of friendships and relationships have you forged through FIRST with other teams, mentors, and students? What kind of impact do these have on your life, whether you are actively involved with FIRST or not? Do you believe FIRST's general atmosphere is geared toward cultivating these relationships?

Viewing ChiefDelphi, the Indiana FIRST Forum, and others, I can see that many people are familiar with each other in the program and have come to rely on these people in their everyday lives. The gap bridging the path between 'in-FIRST friends' and 'out of-FIRST friends' seems to have burned long ago.

All I'm going to say is: from New York to California, from Brazil to Britain. I'd say just about everyone in FIRST can at least be considered an acquaintance. I have met many people from around the world (I guess I can actually say world now), and some of them are now good friends of mine. I've talked in Tigerbolt since the beginning (disregarding that hiatus thing), and am back to my regular chatting. Hey, if you can't make friends in FIRST, then something's not right.

[Matt Leese]

Originally posted by JVN
So who is the crazy uncle, no one talks about?

I nominate Ken L.

Matt

[Amanda Morrison]

I was thinking more along the lines of Dave Lavery.

[dlavery]

HEY!

Gzznork!




Well, OK, maybe yes.

[mtaman02]

Throughout the 2+ years of being involved with Team 522 as both an important member and now as an alumni member I have met many students from different schools and states. A few of which I still keep in touch with today reguardless of my membership to FIRST and Team 522. To name a few people I met through FIRST:

Stacia - Team 341
Sherry - Team 692
Andy - Team 484
Entire Team 694
Entire Team 371
Entire Team 375
and much much more....... As one person already said here

[quote]Originally posted by Andy Baker
FIRST is like a "family", where we have 1 main thing in common: that we went through the 6 week build process. The fact that we all went through this process together bonds us, kinda like a family.[quote] - with all this said right here its safe to say we are all friends and a big part of FIRST's family as soon as we step foot onto a robotics team. Lets continue to expand FIRST's family both Alumni and Team Members alike

[Jupee]

Ohh man I've met so many wonderful people because of FIRST I can't even begin to explain!! First and foremost I want to recognize the impact that our original coordinator, Shannon Schnepp, has had on my growth and development in FIRST and in school. She is amazing. I have also become friends with a ton of kids from West Lafayette high school, my school's archenemies They are all wonderful. I am the only person from my school on the team, so I get picked on a lot, but oh well!! I've also met a plethora of fantastic college students who have certainly influenced my decision to stick with FIRST in the coming years when I myself will be a college student. Moreover I have met many outstanding high school students on other teams...Allen and Dan and all the other fun Wildstang kids, DJ (if you've never talked to him you should b/c he rocks!), Austin, Andy Baker (he, too, is awesome) and all the other ppl on Technokats, and the ppl from T3 and Huskies, and Deondra!!!! and her mom Kim, who works at Delphi in MI now, I think. And Kevin and other awesome ppl (if I didn't mention you I"m sorry--it doesn't mean I don't care, I promise!)
FIRST has really allowed me to expand my circle of friends to the entire country and it really pleases me to have a connection with all of them: FIRST!! It is an amazing program and I hope that everyone appreciates it as much as I have

[ryanspensley]

FIRST has not only gave me the chance to make friends with other teams but with the other schools within my own team. My team is sponsored by a college and has 3 high schools involved. I have met some great people. I made friends with high schoolers from a town that was only 7 miles away and with some college students. I also have met the best mentors I could ever have. They are not just friends in the team, but also outside the team.

[Matt Leese]

Originally posted by Amanda Morrison
I was thinking more along the lines of Dave Lavery.

Yeah, but everyone talks about him so he really doesn't fit the profile. Maybe he's just the weird uncle everyone's embarassed of?

Matt

[Ken Leung]

Originally posted by Matt Leese
I nominate Ken L.

Matt

Naaaah. I am not quite that old. If I am the uncle, you would be the great grandfather .

I am just the quiet brother who is always away from home doing something.

I wonder who is the favorite cousin everyone talks about?


But seriously, I think FIRST is the best place to make friends because you are not stuck with others like in high school. You are at the competition by choice, doing what you like. It is easier for people with similar interest to become friends then stranger you pass by on the street. The time you spend at the competition, and the internet give people a lot of chances to spend time with each other, and in the process forge a strong friendship.

It works especially well when everyone are just out there trying to make more friends. Not like going to a test, where you sit down, take the test, and go home right after.

Now all we need are former dance party or swing dancing parties at the competitions .

[A. Leese]

Wow. Friends via FIRST. I have so so many. Joe, Matt, Jeff, EJ, Mel, and so many others. I don't know where I'd be without you all and I hope you realize that. If not for FIRST (and, well, the Tigerbolt chat and these forums) I could have never made such awesome friendships. I'm really glad my friend Bryce convinced me to stay with FIRST in high school.

[Jennifer573]

This was my first year in robotics....i'm so glad that i joined the team because it was the greatest experience! i learned so much and had fun too....i became really good friends with people on my team...the seniors were so nice and helpful...teaching me about pneumatics and everything....going to the regionals was definitaly the highlight of the season...seeing the ideas that the other teams came up with was really interesting....and meeting people from all over michigan and ohio was great...i can't wait for next year!

[Alex Salomonsky]

in my team 1st year, we made little friends ( probably cuz we were to busy with the bot ), but in our second year, our team became friends with team 122, who were very friendly and took our team for pizza after the first day, which was cool. Plus, we had a guy who switch from 401 to our team and he still had his connections, and the girls on our team were playing cards with i think team 611.

[chellyzee93]

oh yea, I've caught a barrel or so of them robotics dorks Naw, I've many so many absolutely amazing people through FIRST. It doesn't matter if they live across the country. When you've got similiar topics on your mind, great brains, and good company- not even geography can create boundries.

[link871]

I have made so many friends through FIRST. The robotics lead mentor is someone that i turn to for everything. He is one of the smartest men i know. I ask him help in every department (home life, school, work, social life, robotics) he always helps me. Besides him I have made other friendships with people in college which has helped me choose where I want to go to college. And has made me feel comfortable with people in my school and myself. FIRST friendships are way farther then just the people on my team.