First (1st) Regional Competition

[Collin Fultz]

Originally Posted by Ryan Dognaux

My first Regional (Buckeye) experienced was pretty good, only limited to the fact that I was incredibly shy my freshman year and didn't really get out into the pits a whole lot until last season.

Don't make my mistake! Get out in the pits and talk to people, have the time of your life

THe same was my first as well. It was good except the lady singing the national anthem didn't know the words...needless to say...i was hooked.

[shyra1353]

Originally Posted by Ryan Dognaux

My first Regional (Buckeye) experienced was pretty good, only limited to the fact that I was incredibly shy my freshman year and didn't really get out into the pits a whole lot until last season.

Don't make my mistake! Get out in the pits and talk to people, have the time of your life

agreed ... last year was my first regional and i hung around with only my friends from my team .. i mean we talked to others but as a group ... if you really wanna meet a bunch of new people, go around either alone or with only one other person ... i wandered with one other person at nationals and met a whole bunch of awesome people !!

as for how the regional was ... it was awesome ... i had such an awesome time ... nothing had said earlier about how high energy and how great regionals are really did anything for me ... but it was a blast being there ... and nationals was even better !!

[Ryan Albright]

I remember my first regional in 2001 i was not expecting what i saw, i was expecting something small that it was only a few people from each team and not that many people there. When i got there the first thing i saw and will always stay in my mind was heatwave(312) there cheering squad had atleast 50 kids and about half of htem had instruments. I was so amazed i was speechless there were news cameras and everything.


I mean its unspeakalble just imagine what you think of it right now, now think of it 10 times better and after that you still need to times it by another 100 to get how awesome it is. you are in for a big surprise and i mean when you first get there just take a moment and walk around and take everyting in cause its unbelivable

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Solace

at my first regional we lost a lot. yup. that kinda sucked.

but seeing that you're on team 25, you probably won't run into that particular problem

We were terrible at our first regional in Cleveland and I still had a great time.
The atmosphere, the energy and the enthusiasm was contagious and overwhelming. I had never seen anything like it and I attend alot of sporting events, professional and amature.
Don't just gauge your enjoyment of the regional on how your robot does and how many awards you've won.
There's more to FIRST than just winning and losing.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

my first regional was the UTC regional. It was at the meadows. It was hard to see and the food was overpriced. I wasnt really involved with the team at the time (wow i was dumb..) so em and this other kid just wandered around for the whole time.

[nerdcool64]

My first regional was Southern california in 2002. After being taught so much about engineering and programming I went and got to see the robot I helped build go on to win the competition. It was just...wow! We went on to win our division and get 3rd place at nats that year, so not only was the regional, but the year itself was unbelievable.

[Venkatesh]

My First regional was SBPLI in 2002. I didn't particularly enjoy that one, mainly because I didn't understand most of what was going on.

My second regional, J&J (2 weeks later), was amazing. I enjoyed the competetion much more because I knew what it was going to be like. And because I was able to help in the pits.

Since that time, I have been to a number of competetions, but I always believe that the J&J regional is best.

[MisterX]

I remember my first regional was for Zone Zeal at the UTC in New Haven, and when I intially walked int here were a few kid then I entered the actuall arena part and I stood in amaze at the people in the stand let alone when I finally made my way down to the pita!!!! i was not expecting what i saw, i was figuring like 10-20 people from each team and not that many people there. I was absolutly amazed at the feeling and intensity in the air and that was only on Thursday by time Saturday came around it was CRAZY!!!!!!

I t was just amazing to see all these "nerds and geeks" in school go absolutly NUTS at this robotics compettion scream yelling cheering pounding banging chanting !!!!!! It was more intense then any pro game I have gone tooo!

[SkitzoSmurf]

FIRST keeps growing each and every year, and seems to get a little better and more challenging, every year. When I went to my first regional in New York, I was awe struck. It was just so kool, so friendly, and so fun. Blown away. There is no way to describe a FIRST competition, you have to see it for yourself. But I can almost guarantee you that it will hook you in, and you'll keep coming back, till who knows when. I'm addicted to FIRST, along with many other people, and I hope u will be too. Just a tip of advice, don't just sit there. Explore, get involved, do everything and anything there is to be done. You'll have a blast. WELCOME TO FIRST.

[mtaman02]

The first regional i ever attended was the NYC Regional back in 2001 .

It was fun I saw Dean and Woodie for my first time there. They were both cool. Dean as a matter of fact had taken a picture with the 2001 522 Team Members and if i'm not mistaken with WILMA (2001 Girl) as well.

Later on that year I had met Deans Brother at Mt. Olive Mania in an offseason Novemeber event in Jersey Or was it PARC 5 in 2002 I forget.

My first National was 2002 in orlando. I must say my first time on the plane was Awesome both going and coming back. I had gotten Deans and Woodies Autograph on my 2002 shirt. Going to WDW was also awesome. I never thought that being away from my parents would be so fun. Usually a person like me would get homesick, as a matter of fact the first person to hug my folks was my ex g/f at the time and not me b/c i was upset of having to return from my awesome 5 day vacation.

And like many other posts here after your first regional you get hooked. FIRST is like a bug. After it bites you the first time your hooked forever. My coach always tells the visitors he can never keep the robotics door closed long enough b/c the members of the team would just break it down. Its just that addictive.

It's a fun learning experienced sport which will continue till the end of time as long as new students like you with the urge to have fun and learn continue to join your local HS's FIRST Robotics Team

[Alex Cormier]

my first regional we went to we own the regional it was crazy and shocking...