'Twas the night before Kickoff, and all through the house
Not a robot was stirring, not even a mouse.
The game manual was read, and the rules all were clear
In hopes that a winning robot soon would appear.
The mentors were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of 3D printers danced in their heads.
And the students, in their FIRST t-shirts and jeans
Had just settled down for a night of sweet dreams.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
They sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.
Away to the window they flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the clump of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of midday to objects below.
When, what to their wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick
They knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.
âNow, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!â
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew
With a sleigh full of robot parts, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, they heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As they drew in their heads, and were turning around
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in FIRST apparel, from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all branded with the FIRST logo and soot.
A bundle of robot parts he had flung on his back
And he looked like a pit crew member, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a FIRST water bottle he held tight in his teeth
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf
And they laughed when they saw him, in spite of themselves.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave them to know they had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But they heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight
âGracious Professionalism and Coopertition to all, and to all a good-night!â
-ChatGPT providing us with our pre-kickoff bedtime song