How do you entered to FIRST?

I just wanted to know how did you enter to the world of robotics I hope that all the histories will be good or interesting or something like that :smiley:

I started FIRST because my dad and I were bored on a Saturday morning in March. We saw this ad in the newspaper about a robotics competition at RIT and decided to go and check it out. That was in 2006 and we thought that Aim High was the coolest thing that we had ever seen. We came home and told my mom about it and she couldn’t believe that we had so much fun. Major credit goes to 1126 Sparx and 191 X-Cats for inspiring my dad and I. 1126 had one of, if not the, best shooters that year and it showed when they advanced to Einstein. 191 had some of the craziest team spirit and I couldn’t help but make an X with my forearms as their six shot revolver style shooter pounded away goals.

My dad and I spent an hour or so in the pits and were astounded by how much high school kids could accomplish in six weeks. We also saw a FLL exhibit courtesy of L3 (Lockport Lego League) who I believe was sponsored by 1507, the WARLOCKS. My apologies to anyone who may have been on that team, I do not remember your number though I believe that I have one of your buttons somewhere in my room. This inspired us to go home and pleaded to my mom to start an FLL team for myself and my friends for our 6th grade year that followed.

We created Team 995, Royal Robotics with the help of Team 1511 Rolling Thunder, their Harris Sponsorship, and with my experience at the local summer camp provided by 340, G.R.R. I then competed the next two years, my 7th and 8th grade, in FLL and mentored teams as well. Then, as luck would have it, after attending FRC events both in and out of season for 4 years, my high school started team 3173, the IgKNIGHTers when I entered as a freshman.

I’ve left out a few critical things, for example Leeland teaching me the importance and frustration of masterlinks as well as the high chlorination of Webster water. Phil Tifone and Doug Miller who joined the Jefferson High FRC Team Unit-T the year before they helped my school create a team. Karthik for some of the greatest MCing that I have ever seen during the years I went to FLR. I probably could write a book on my full story, but that is the brief version of how it happened.

Go FIRST, there isn’t anything better in the world.