Another thought for nationals...

[Carolyn Duncan]

Ok, after talking this over with Mike S. here's an off the wall idea for nats. What if we jumped over to New Orleans? Now before people get their shorts in a knot let me explain. There are a few reasons I think this may be a good move.
1.)Mardi Gras is a huge week long event. If they can handle a drunken adult crowd they can handle teenagers.
2.)Because of the large crowd at Mardi Gras there is plenty of room for all of us to stay, between hotels and entire houses which are rented out.
3.)There will be plenty of things to keep us busy while we are there.
I also realize that there are many cons, alcohol being the biggest.
This is why I'm posting my idea. We both think it would be interesting to see how the pros and cons would weigh out. Try not to pummel me too badly.
*prepares for the worst and hope she hasn't really gotten people mad*

[Leon Machado IV]

I think the biggest problem with that is the alcohol. I know that most of the kids are responsible and wouldn't do anything, but all it takes is a couple of bad apples to ruin the bunch. I worry about all the kids we take down to the nationals, not just the kids that I know will be good. If we could figure out a way around the alcohol, like holding a different week or something, then I'd be all for it.

[Carolyn Duncan]

I guess I should have made this clearer earlier. I didn't mean for us to be there during Mardi Gras, I was just using that as a base comparasin for size.
I also think it would be hard to leave Disney but not everything in life is easy.

[Mike S.]

Personally i don't like the idea of holding a national at New Orleans at all. Carolyn, i was stating more cons than i was pros, in our conversation. Orleans wouldn't set the right atmosphere for a national at all, and i think FIRST wouldn't decided for new orleans as a competition spot because of the social environment its not a place for a huge group of teen-agers.
I also never stated that there was a space issue, that was making nationals a problem, i said it was a personell problem.

Mike

[Matt Leese]

New Orleans doesn't exactly have the reputation as a very safe city. Definately not the place I'd like to take a bunch of high school students.

Matt