Wow. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I look back on this season… wow.
Before the 2010 season began, many members of our team discussed ways we could make 2010 our “Dream Season.” Everyone was really nervous about this year because we just lost 16 seniors, most of which had been 3 or 4 year members and brought a lot of experience to the team. I was probably the most nervous of everyone– as the only 4 year member this year, I knew I’d have a lot of responsibility to lead the team, and to be completely honest I wasn’t so sure I was ready for that. But this year’s crew truly impressed me. Although many of our members were new and had little to no experience under their belts, they really pulled through with their devotion and eagerness to learn. People stepped up to become leaders who had only been a member for a year. And those who did have the experience really put their hearts and souls into every effort they made.
I personally think our team has been under a curse these past few years. Each time we won a regional, our robot did horribly at the next competition. I remember after winning the NYC regional this year, I said, “Now we’ve gotta win Philly!” I was hoping that at least we’d be able to keep up our competitive level of play beyond just that one regional. Well, we’ve finally broken that curse, landing the top seed and being crowned champions at both of our regionals this year! (Oh and I think I should point out how we never won a regional until I joined the team. Coincidence? I think not… 
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And then finally, after 11 years of passion, devotion, and inspiration on the part of all Daisies, past and present, we finally took home the big prize– the Championship Chairman’s Award.
I reluctantly joined the Chairman’s presentation team my sophomore year; I was afraid to do it because I didn’t want to give up my place on the mechanical team. I loved working on the robot so much, and I didn’t want to give up any of my time in the shop. It wasn’t until later that I realized it was that passion that made me a great presenter & contributor to the award. I was the perfect example of a kid who had been changed by FIRST, whose experience shifted their views on science and technology, and whose career plans had become solidified by having the opportunity to really give engineering a shot.
Looking back on my four years as a member, I can see how I have blossomed as a person. This program truly has changed me. I came in as this timid little freshman, afraid to get my hands dirty and prone to breaking everything I did in fact get my hands on. I guess that is one of the things I like most about this team– it’s not so bad to make mistakes, because you learn from them. As a newbie I was encouraged to try new things, even if that meant wasting a couple hundred bucks’ worth of metal. One of my most vivid memories was the first (and last!) time I tried to drive the robot. It was during the offseason, so there was a little less pressure, but still I was really nervous to be in control. I ended up smashing the robot into a wall and bending the claw on the front of it! I was totally mortified and afraid to confront the coaches about what happened. But the strangest thing happened– everyone was happy because they finally had something to fix! Building a robot is pointless if the students don’t come out feeling like they have accomplished something significant. And for me, learning comes from experience, and sometimes you need to screw up a few times before you get it right.
I think after 4 years, I’m in a position to give some advice to the underclassmen. Because whatever the experience, chances are I’ve had it. So, to my underclassmen friends: You are every college’s dream student! You have the skills that make you an exceptional learner, thinker, and person. And robotics makes for great college essays! It’s no coincidence that Mr. Ostrow always cites that study about how 20% of MIT incoming freshman class are former FIRST students. I ran into at least 5 FIRST alums on my MIT visit– that could be you!! Also, take advantage of all the scholarship money that’s out there. It’s there for you. Don’t be intimidated by the fact that there might be other kids applying for the same money. I applied for one of the FIRST scholarships. At the time, I really didn’t think I’d have a shot. I just wanted to get one of my college applications out of the way early. One brisk April afternoon, I was getting the mail and noticed an envelope addressed to me. “No way!” I thought to myself. Well, yes way. My FIRST experience had paid off, literally. And if it could happen to me, it could happen to you!
Now that graduation is closely approaching, I’m getting a little sad about having to leave the team. I mean, yeah, I’ll come back to visit, and maybe even stick around as a mentor, but it is not at all the same as being a student on the team. These have been some of the best years of my life, and I’m really disappointed that they have to end. But I know that I am extremely well prepared to be successful both in engineering and in life because of my time here.
I am also eager to see what lies ahead for the team. We have to set new goals for ourselves and keep moving the bar higher and higher. Yet we still have to remind the students why they are here– it’s not just about the robots, but about the experiences you have that make you into a better person. FIRST shows its students that they have the ability to achieve things far beyond their wildest dreams, whether that means winning a full scholarship to college or seeing the robot they built with their own hands rise to the top. This team has taken me on a journey I will never forget, and now a new batch of students will have the experience of competing in the name of science and technology. Next stop, Einstein!
<3 Gina
