Touching Moments...

[JVN]

I just wanted to share a few experiences I had which I think need to be shared. The first event that struck me occured in Cleveland on Friday Morning. During the open ceremonies, it is customary for people to remain in the pits (last minute bot repairs etc...) Cleveland was no exception. The pits were packed with engineers and other FIRSTers. As anyone knows, this means the pits were a noisy place. However I was just amazed by one fact... During the National Anthem, you could have heard a pin drop. The entire place turned to face the flag on the wall, not one person was left sitting, not one hat was left on a head. It was just.... a powerful moment, and I was wondering if anyone else noticed this.

Another such "patriotic" moment was in Toronto. This time on Saturday morning in the stands. The person chosen to sing the US Anthem was a girl from Team 188, she was slightly nervous, and had to stop in the middle. She started over again, and here is the touching part. It seemed like every American in the arena sang with her... It was another beautiful moment.

The last event deals with one team in particular, one member of this team who went out of his way to do something extremely nice for us. As many of you know Team 229 suffered a tragedy earlier this year. There was a van accident, and my friend Jeff was one of the students killed. I was hoping to win a regional this year so as to lay a medal on his grave, however I guess it just wasn't to be (2 - 3rd place finishes... soooo close, and yet so far). Our first match of the Toronto Regional we were paired with Team 781 - Kinetic Knights, this was there first match ever and so we started talking while we watched opening ceremonies. This rookie team would later go on to beat us all and win Toronto (congrats!). Their team heard about Jeff, and after 781 was awarded medals, one of their members make the long hike up the stairs, cutting through my entire team and presented me with a gold medal. I don't know this members name, but I'd like to thank him. It took me a few minutes to compose myself after this incredible gesture. Thank you so much. Your team truly represents what FIRST is about. I've never been so inspired by a rookie before.

While I'm on a roll...
I'd like to thank the FIRST judges in Cleveland for awarding us the J&J Sportsmanship, and the judges in Tornto for recognizing us with a Judges Award for "endureing through adversity".

I just think some of the back stories of FIRST need to be told. Please share any others you have witnessed or remember.

~JVN
Strategy Head
Team 229 - Clarkson University


"In Memory of Matt and Jeff"

[XRaVeNX]

Wow. /me sheds a tear after reading that last post

As you've said, the national anthems were really magical. I was totally amazed yesterday at the Canadian (Toronto) Regional. Especially when the crowd began to help the girl from Team 188 sing the American Anthem.

Another really amazing thing I found was the excitement, atmosphere, and wildness of everyone in the crowd during the finals. People were cheering at the top of their lungs (for other teams btw). We even had the wave going. This was my first real FIRST competition I went to and I am awe-strucked. When teams won rounds, the crowd would go wild.

After being at the Canadian Regional, I now wonder (and can't wait to find out) what the Championship would be like.

Thanks to all the teams that went to the Canadian Regional and hope to see many of you down at Florida! Good luck!

[Bruce C.]

Same deal at the Lone Star Regional. When the National Anthem was played you could hear a pin drop in the pits. Our team is military sponsored, with many military dependent students, so we are particularly sensitive to such things.

John - Glad to see another Clarkson student around. We seem to be rather rare birds.

Bruce C.
Clarkson College of Technology
BSEE Class of '70

[Scorpion515]

UTC was the same too. After a morning of chaos in the pits, the arena was silent for the national anthem. Incredible.