The Reasons we Continue to be in FIRST

FIRST General Forum
#46

I started tearing up too, particularly to Mr. Gregory’s post.

But to answer the question, I continue to be in FIRST because it saved me from what many peace studies scholars call, “The cycle of violence.” I feel FIRST can change a person’s life for the better and I hope one day, when I’m a mentor, the same hope that my mentors gave me at a better life though this program will inspire another student who’s been hurt like I have to become something of them selves and to not let the bad consume them.

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#47

Our last meeting before our first regional, while we were packing up, the students on my subteam came up to me, all wearing these:

They gave me this:

They said it is now part of my uniform, and I have to wear it to all our competitions this year.

That’s why I’m in FIRST.

This is my second year as a mentor, and the funny thing is, I thought I became a mentor because robotics has been my passion for years. Come to find out, I’ve become even more passionate about helping “my” kids grow into their fullest potential. I try my best to see them not as just high school kids, but as future colleagues. As someone told me once: The way you see them is how you treat them, and how you treat them is what they often become.

#48

Another reason I am in FIRST.

There’s a student that always complained or would sag his shoulders when asked to go work on something. He’d be fine working on the task and is very smart, but would always have some sort of “but…” statement or reaction. Of course, he’s a great kid and guy, so we’ve developed a friendly relationship.

During competition, one of the teams requested some chain, and I went over to the pit admin table to give it to them, and the student joined me. We ended up taking it over to the team directly, and saw that they were in fact actually building their robot. The student, who by the way, has never been in any FIRST program, immediately thought of helping them. He didn’t even just build their robot but he mentored them and talked the entire drive train through with them. He ended up staying with the team from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.

When the rest of the team was leaving. I came to speak to him and see where he was. Our pit crew was going to stay back and work on the robot a little, so one of our other young mentors (a freshman in college) and another student also came with me to check out this student working.

He was so interested on working with this team, that he convinced our other mentor and the other student to also stay with him until pits were closed. The three of them missed going to a team dinner, and hanging out with the team and spend some free time.

I am so insanely proud of him. To see someone that complains from working on his own team’s robot (not really complaining but still) to without any objection at all working for 5 hours straight on another team’s robot. If anything at all, this one moment will keep me going with FIRST.

FIRST is so cool…

#49

I continue to be in FIRST because this is the hardest fun I will ever have.

It inspires people because of its level of difficulty, and truly the ones who are inspired by this believe that it is fun.

#50

Foss, this sounds like one of the countless discussions we would have around the dinner table at Clarkson. To me, seeing a student who would have been satisfied with average transform over however many years they are in the program is the best feeling. An example of this, one of the students on my old team was asked by his mom what he wanted to do when he was a freshman. His response before his first regional was to ride 4 wheelers, hunt, etc. After his first competition, he goes to his mom, Can I be an Engineer? Next year he will start working toward a engineering degree. Just thinking about it I get goosebumps.

#51

Two reasons…

Build a robot, change the world.

Where else can I dance the Macarena in front of a couple thousand people?

#52

It makes a difference. I was an apprentice and in some ways this is even better. This is an example of the triumpth of innovation over mere repetition.

#53

Wow… all I can say is wow. You guys are amazing, and have done amazing things, and I’m sure your teams remind you of that every day. Reading this thread has me super excited for the future, and while my past 4 years as a student have been great, I’m sure my next 4 as a mentor will be even better. Now to find a team… :slight_smile:

#54

Because after a season of being both a student captain on one team and a mentor of another, I know which is more rewarding

Because six students are going to college because of a team that would never have come about if they hadn’t asked for help.

Because I love my kids, even if some of them are my age. They make it worth it. They get it. They sacrifice and I would do anything for them.

Because my mentors passed the torch to me.

Because it’s what I love and the right thing to do

#55

Another one.

At our celebration party, the head coach of 4096, was giving a speech about how and why he’s doing this. His voice started breaking up, but he wanted to say something along the lines of, the real reason he was doing this and his measure of success are how far the students on the team go to inspire others, like the collegiate mentors we have.

That was super touching, meant a lot and I completely agree. My fellow peers that mentor and do college are fricking amazing. It’s soo inspiring to see a team that is mentored by people only a few years older than the members on the team.

So another reason, why I continue to be involved, is because of all of those that graduate their teams and high schools but never give up and continue to be involved in FIRST because it’s a way of life. They just can’t let go. I continue to be in FIRST because I have to.

#56

One more reason:

4/26/2012 @ 6:00 AM to 4/28/2012 @ 10:30 pm

#57

when a student says “I hate school. I do not get inspired by school. But I am inspired by FIRST to do well in school, and to improve myself.”

#58

I continue in FIRST because I’m not looked down upon for not knowing how to do something, but held up because I want to learn.

#59

This is one of the best posts I’ve ever read.

I will stay in FIRST as long as I have the ability to work with students like this. ^

#60

This is a great thread!

I continue to be in FIRST because I see how much the younger kids are getting out of this. I mentored FLL and VEX for the past few years, and have even convinced a large portion of them to join FRC when they can!

…because my FIRST experience and my team has shaped me.

…because I can’t find a better way to spend my senior prom than watching 2 of my teams make it to nationals, [6th and 22nd] and hanging out with some of my greatest friends.

… because I had the happiest and saddest moment of my life all in about 1 minute. I cheered as my sister team made it to national level SF, then the saddest as I realize that it is my last time in FRC cheering on the robot I helped to build.

… because I know in 4 years, my team would be more than happy to take me back as a mentor :slight_smile:

#61

It’s great to read all of the heartfelt reasons why people love FIRST robotics! I know I continue to be in FIRST because the program has taught me things that I could never hope to learn in school!

We at FIRST 846 recently started a program call “Because robots…” Through this campaign we hope to show the world why robots rock!

We created a website http://becauserobots.org/ where we post videos and articles about why robots are awesome! If anyone has something interesting to share click the “Submit a Post” button and share it with us!

Also, we are encouraging people to complete the phrase “Because robots…” with a short blurb. For example “Because robots can save the world!”

If anyone has a phrase to share please take a picture of yourself holding up your completion to the phrase and submit it on our website. For more instructions, click the “Submit a Picture” button found on the homepage.

We’d love to hear what everyone had to say! Thanks!

#62

Thanks for explaining this, and doing all you do. I was having a hard time resolving your expression with the fact that you seem to be volunteering at just about every event I’ve attended.

-Karlis

#63

…because as much as I found school to be a waste, the necessity to do well to participate in robotics made me a better student, a more capable learner, and a more balanced and positive attitude…

…because even though I’m red in the face and lost my voice from yelling, I wouldn’t trade any day I spent at a competition for anything…

…because I need to know people that get my jokes…

#64

I got back from Palmetto yesterday and wrote up another reason that I stay with it:

#65

Quite simply, I will continue to be in this program to give students the opportunities FIRST gave me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without FIRST.

Four years ago I was arrested for smoking Marijuana in the bathroom at my school, while I am not proud of it, it is one of the things that led me where I am today. For the months following my arrest I struggled to find purpose, GUS was there when I needed help. From the mentors to students everyone was supportive and helped my nix my previous life. I owe a lot to FIRST, so I will do everything I can to continue to giving back until the day I die.

-D