Starting a Rookie team is an incredibly challenging feat, made even more so by the plethora of bureaucratic hurdles imposed by the New York City Public School system. Despite these obstacles, our second-year team has achieved an unprecedented level of success, far beyond what we initially envisioned. And we owe it all to the unwavering support of the FIRST community.
Throughout my decade-long involvement with FRC teams - first as a student for four years, then as a mentor for six - I have discovered that the past two years, spent working with our rookie team, have taught me more than the previous ten years combined. The immense support extended by established teams played a pivotal role in propelling us to this point. Our back-to-back appearances at the championships are a testament to the magnitude of this achievement, which has transformed the outlook of each student on the team. My only wish is that they, in turn, serve as an inspiration to the next generation of young innovators.
In particular, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to teams 333 (the MEGALODONS), 694 (StuyPulse), and 1796 (the RoboTigers), who have gone above and beyond to provide us with invaluable support, supplies, and logistics. Their students and mentors alike have selflessly gone out of their way to ensure that our team is well-supported.
We could not have come this far without you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.