For me, robotics has gone far beyond any other club activity in school, not only because of what it has taught me, but also because of its positive impact on my future. I became attracted to this program when I saw a robotics demo at McKinley's Mini Math Meet while I was in middle school. From then, I decided to join the McKinley robotics team as a freshman in high school. I started off by doing VEX robotics, and through the building/programming process, I found out that robotics was something more than what I initially thought (design structures, electrical wiring, and especially programming). My passion built since then and encouraged me to move on to FIRST robotics. It was a really big step for me. I expanded my knowledge in electrical/programming as well as my communication skills which couldn’t be learned in classes. My enthusiasm continued on for three years. As a fourth-year member, I was surprised to realize just how much I have learned as I began teaching new members this year. Hopefully, I will carry on the knowledge I have obtained in robotics and be able to apply it as I pursue a career in electrical engineering.

If I were to pick one event that changed my life, I would pick FIRST robotics. FIRST has changed my perspective on this world. Before joining FIRST, I always wanted to be an astronomer or a physicist, without even knowing there were so many other occupations. I never knew about the awesomeness of engineering beforehand. When I first joined robotics, I knew nothing about electronics or programming. I was just like any other ordinary kid out there playing games on a computer. Since the summer of 2007, I couldn’t quit the team. Everything I learned so far has been beneficial to me. I made spectacular friends over the years from various places. I love what I do on our FIRST robotics team and I am grateful for such an opportunity.

The FIRST robotics program has taught me a lot of things and it helps me a lot. I am a third year member on the McKinley robotics team. I immigrated to Hawaii 3 years ago, and I could only speak basic English. I wanted to join robotics to learn English. While I was there, I learned about programming and robot construction. I also learned about teamwork, leadership, and time management. Joining the team has helped to improve my English skills by giving me opportunities to speak with other teams about new designs, ideas, and strategies. I was also able to practice my public speaking at robot demonstrations by explaining robot structures and functions. It has helped me decide on my college major as well. Robotics has positively impacted my life.

I LOVE ROBOTICS!

I joined robotics in my sophomore year. As only my second year of immigrating here at that time, robotics was a great place for me to improve my English skills. Knowing that communication is very important in the team, I tried the best that I could to talk to my teammates and mentors with my shy face. Even though funny pronunciations always came out in my speaking, the others would correct my errors and try their best to understand what I was saying. Participating for three years in this program, I am now better able to express myself and communicate with my teammates.

Other than the improvement in my communications skills, robotics also helped develop my hands-on skills. I found myself interested in electrical things and I joined electrical/programming team. Being the third year on the team, I have now learned how to "talk to the robot" using programming languages such as C+ and LabVIEW and I love the way we solve problems through testing programs.

I can say robotics has brightened my life. It's all about teamwork and engineering. It's a place where I have learned how to accept the "failures" and do the best to lead to "successes." It's a pathway for me to get into an engineering career! =].

I have been on the McKinley Robotics Team for three years. I joined because my friends told me how fun robotics could be while also teaching you a lot about engineering. I have participated in both the VEX and FIRST competitions. Building the robots may take a lot of effort, but it is fun to work with other team members and I feel like the robotics team is my second family. Everyone is friendly, talented, and very cool. I am so lucky to be able to hang out with these people and be on the team because they don’t mind that I am an English as a Second Language student.

When I reflect on the three years I have been on the robotics team, I find that robotics has helped me to improve in different areas, especially in my ability to speak English. I am a timid student and am often afraid to communicate in English with my classmates. Robotics gave me a chance to practice speaking English. Other members have been very patient with me and have explained the meanings of many words to me. Also, since I have joined the robotics team, I have gained self-value and self-confidence. I am glad to be able to help to build robots, even if it is just a small task.

Being on the McKinley Robotics Team has enabled me to gain more knowledge about my future career. It has also been a positive influence in my life. I have learned what teamwork is - how to work as a team and how to communicate with others. The things I have learned in robotics are not things I can learn in class. These are some of the many ways robotics has changed my life.

Robotics is something you can’t simply summarize in one paragraph; it takes so much more. To truly understand what it means, you need to join the team. As I look back to the past I couldn't imagine myself joining robotics, but now I can’t imagine living without it. From my perspective, robotics was a stepping stone and door to finding myself as an individual. In the past, I never felt like I belonged anywhere or had a true purpose to life. Everyday was simply the same to me: attend school, be a good girl, do chores, eat, and sleep. Robotics changed all that. I still attend school, but during the season I go to school seven days a week instead of just staying at home slaving away with homework and being lazy. School became my second home where I am day and night. With each day there is always something to look forward to or something unique happening in robotics. Soon you find your love for it so great that you forget to eat and sleep properly. It presented new challenges, failures, disappointments, and everything in between. Despite all that, it taught me to be a stronger person mentally (to think critically) and physically (to gain muscle from laboring over the robots). It gave me a new perspective on life and myself. I slowly found myself being anxious and excited to be at robotics each day to see what I will learn and see. I love not only the family at robotics and the second home there, but I learned to love the creations. The creations are what you make of them. It is similar to life - there are failures and mistakes, but it's up to you how you fix it. As you can see, robotics is not just something that is heartless and solely mechanical. Robotics is a place where I have found myself and truly grew up in. Through tears and smiles I will never regret all the time I spent there, the family I gained, the home, the failures, and joining the best place in the world!!!

I joined robotics in my sophomore year with the notion of trying something new. I found a passion in math when I was small. I liked math to the point where I could do math problems for hours but I had no idea what applications math could lead to. One day, I asked myself, "What am I going to do when I grow up? What more can I do besides solving math problems made by other people?" That was when the idea of robotics popped into my mind.

My first year there was frustrating and confusing as I had a hard time balancing my time. There was a time when I was on the verge of giving up, but somewhere inside my heart, a part of me wanted to continue on with robotics. I was glad I didn't make that decision so hastily, for the next year, my perspective was totally transformed by a new array of experiences. I became more involved in VEX as well as FIRST. As the main robot-builder/mechanic of my VEX team, I learned about building robots more in depth. I also learned how to work with tools and machines as I continued my position on the FIRST mechanical team. Through robotics, I was able to work with my team members through cooperation and communication. There were moments of stress and frustration when my team and I couldn't figure out how things worked and moments of joy when we saw our robot coming together from scratch. But what's more valuable are the experiences and knowledge I've gained throughout the course of my participation in robotics.

Robotics showed me how powerful a pair of hands combined with a brain can be, how inventions and technology can benefit the world, and how people, when joined together, can make great things. Robotics let me taste the pride of workmanship and gracious professionalism. It plagued me with passion, enthusiasm, and wracked my brain with wild ideas. Sometimes, I found myself lost in lunatic thoughts and overwhelmed by my obsession with robots. Gradually, robotics became a home away from home for me. It was there that I found my pathway to becoming a mechanical engineer. It was there that I found a group of close friends that are like family to me. It was there that I found confidence toward my future.

It has already been two years since I first stepped into the doors at robotics. I was unclear about my pursuance upon joining the team during my sophomore year. Watching my first robotics demo in our school gym drove me to join the following school year as I was fascinated by the huge robots and the enthusiasm of the team. I saw students of separate grade levels working together where two students operated the robot as others reset the gym. While one robot hastily shot out balls into the air with great distances, the other smoothly picked up and delivered tubes onto a rack-like obstacle. The collective efforts and energies of the robotics team gave me the impulse to join. I anticipated meeting people that were just as technologically fanatical as I am. I began on the Inventor team where I practiced drafting robot parts. Being on that team opened a new pathway for me. I realized that I passionately enjoy creating computer designs—even if it was a tedious process. I was then encouraged by our team’s advisor that I should undertake the animation competition for the following year. As a gamer and an animation enthusiast, I decided to pursue my childhood dream. That year, I progressively learned on my own with limited resources to complete the Autodesk Visualization Competition challenge. The season went by with cycles of stress and anger, but in the end, I acquired bulks of knowledge from the sweat and tears. Throughout these years, I've learned a lot in robotics. Robotics takes up so much time, but it is well worth it. So no matter how things get in robotics, my purpose is to always do my best.

This is my last year as a student on Team Kika Mana. When I reflect, I remember the hesitation I had when considering whether to join robotics or not. I first joined Team Kika Mana in my sophomore year knowing nothing about robotics. Everything was overwhelming because I was in awe at what high school students like me were actually capable of. Everyday, I would learn and try something new. One day we would be using the lathe or mill and the next we would be making thank you cards for our supporters. Participating in FIRST really covers a wide range of skills - life skills that you cannot get anywhere else.

Currently, I feel that I have matured because of the various events I experience in robotics. I have also gained more confidence in myself and of those around me. Working with my teammates everyday has also brought me closer to everyone to the point where I feel comfortable sharing anything. We are family now and I hope that our relations will last a lifetime. Through FIRST, I have also gained a new perspective in science and engineering. Now, I always think about the process of how things are made! (Or how I THINK it’s made.) I really do have a newfound respect for science and technology. I hope that all the future members of Team Kika Mana or FIRST in general are able to experience and gain as much as I have.

This is my last year on the McKinley Robotics Team. I joined back when I was a sophomore. My friend, Sam, mentioned how fun robotics was and the things they had learned in the summer training session. I decided to check out the robotics program for myself and I found out that joining the team wasn’t about the robots, it was about learning how to cooperate and work as a team.

When I was in middle school, I did not like to work with others and I did not know how to work well with others. I thought that working with others was useless as they could not read your mind and did not know what you wanted. But when the VEX season began, I noticed that no one was working alone as they helped and supported each other.

I never thought that joining the robotics team would enlighten my mind towards working with others. I regret that I did not join robotics when I was a freshman. Robotics has positively impacted my life. It has helped me to comprehend what I want and to realize my goal after high school. TKM - where miracles happen.

I began robotics in my freshman year in high school. I first joined since my parents insisted that I try something else OTHER than math team. So I dropped math team (something I did since 7th grade) and tried robotics. In the first year, I was reluctant to go because I did not feel like I learned much. However, when the 2008 FRC season started, I discovered that robotics was something very special, something that does not exist in any old place. It was a second family, one in which I could be myself and soak in all the memories and lessons learned. As part of the media team, I was able to witness all sorts of examples of teamwork throughout this team. I was hooked to robotics the first year and stayed in robotics ever since. From the two and a half years I have been on the team, I have learned some mechanical, engineering, and especially electrical principles which could be applied in the real world. More importantly, robotics led me to understand that in order to bring an idea to fruition, one must communicate effectively and be open to other suggestions. I hope that I will be able to apply these principles and experiences to my future endeavor of becoming a doctor.

Joining robotics has positively impacted my life. It showed me how appealing engineering can be. I was just so amazed to see how the robot was coming alive. In robotics, I also gained so much knowledge about the basics of engineering. Throughout the season, it taught me how to be patient, how to work together, and how to think critically. Furthermore, joining robotics gave me the opportunity to get to know some really "cool" people.

Now, robotics means more than just an extra-curricular activity to me. It has become my second home. Teammates have become my family. I love spending time at robotics with all my teammates and this year, I've continued to willingly give up my weekends and sleep to work at robotics!

Robotics has been a life changing experience. When I first joined, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. However, robotics really opened my eyes to the field of engineering. I became more fascinated by how machines work and how they are utilized in design. By joining the robotics team, I was able to get hands-on experience working with a robot. I learned about the mechanics of a robot and was able to see how it worked. Robotics is more than just building a robot, it demonstrates teamwork, collaboration, commitment, and dedication.

At first, I had no interest in engineering or robotics, but that was because I did not know what either really was. I always thought robotics was filled with a bunch of crazy people who don’t eat, sleep, or drink until their robot is complete and safe. They devote all of their time to a robot without purpose. Now I have become one of them, staying from early in the morning to late at night. This is a place I never want to leave. I now see the purpose - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. I was inspired by all those around me to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. Just as I was inspired, I hope to inspire others.

Throughout the VEX and FIRST seasons, I have learned much more than I could have possibly imagined. This isn’t something where you just listen to others’ instructions. Everything that you do has to be thought out thoroughly and planned and you work from there to achieve your goal. Not everything is right at first (constant testing has to be done), but once it is completed you feel accomplished. Not only is it a great learning experience, it is fun. It is a place where you can spend time with friends and enjoy thinking outside of the box. I was someone who never cared about my future because it was a scary thought. I did not like to think of the failures that would come or obstacles that would be difficult to work out. Now I get excited imagining about the future that lies ahead for me.

During my freshman and year, I never really thought much of robotics. I was already in the band so I didn’t feel the need to get involved with some other program. The robotics team constantly demoed at various places and were sometimes mentioned in the news. The thought of joining the team crossed my mind several times during my sophomore year. That was the year Team 368 was champion at the Oregon Regional, finalists at the inaugural Hawaii Regional, finalists on the Curie field at the World Championship, and quarterfinalists at the Indiana Robotics Invitational. Team 368’s success, rather than attracting me, kept me from joining. I felt that my abilities weren’t up to par with the current team members and that I wouldn’t fit.

Like many of my peers, I began to think of a possible career. Besides band, I enjoyed my math and science classes over other classes. I scored 99, 99, 97 on the ASVAB which measured mathematical, scientific, and mechanical aptitude. I joined McKinley’s Engineering Academy and had fun in the classes. I also made a few friends from robotics who talked to me about the program. Although there was a level of intensity in robotics, I realized that it came from the dedication the members and the mentors had. Excited about making new friends and exploring a possible career, I joined the team.

Robotics has given me what no other organization at McKinley, or any other organization for that matter, has given me. It has given me a chance to explore and even develop a passion for engineering while in a friendly and nurturing environment. I’ve learned so much while participating in VEX and FIRST. I was able to improve my math and physics skills and actually use them in relevant applications. I learned how to operate machinery to create components. I witnessed and experienced first hand the process of finding solutions to problems. Now that I’m in my last year of high school, I am almost definitely going to pursue an education and career in engineering. I can’t wait to use the skills I’ve learned from robotics in college and in life.

The most valuable things I learned in robotics, though, were the life lessons and teamwork skills. Because we are constantly working in groups, we learn how to listen to each other, voice our thoughts, open our minds, work with each other, and respect each other. In a world where something as simple as respect is growing scarce, Team 368 is a beacon of hope. If you look at the student population at McKinley, you’ll find that the nicest people are on the robotics team. I am and have been in several organizations at McKinley and I can tell you that there is no other program that comes close to having the camaraderie you’ll find in Team 368.

I never thought I'd actually join the robotics team for any reason. It was quite intimidating. I did not know much about the robotics team before I joined and my only experience with them was a demonstration during an assembly. My decision to join the robotics team my junior year of high school came as a shock even to myself. Perhaps it was during the FIRST Robotics competition I went to, but somewhere down the line, robotics became something I couldn’t tear myself away from; it became a part of me. Robotics taught me to be patient and understanding, even when I, myself, am getting frustrated. I learned how to be a leader to the newer members, even if I wasn’t a very good one. Working in robotics gave me a chance to try many new things I would not otherwise have ever done. Robotics was not something I could just watch, it was something I had to experience.

This is the first year I am on the robotics team. Joining robotics is one of the best decisions I have ever made. It showed me how hard work really does pay off. To see scraps of metal being put together and turning into a robot, one that actually functions, makes me realize those late nights, hard work, and frustration are all worth it in the end. During the VEX season, I found that I enjoyed putting the robot together. It was fun and I was able to learn how to use different tools like the digital multi meter. I had no idea what nuts, lock nuts, limit switches, etc were. After the VEX season, I realized engineering is a lot harder than I first thought.

I joined robotics because some of the new friends I made in freshmen year told me that it was really fun and I should try it. Another reason is because I wanted something to do afterschool. Usually, I just went home or hung out with my friends at fast food places.

Robotics has made me feel a lot smarter. I know and understand what most people in robotics are actually talking about now. My mind does not just draw a blank anymore. In school, we sit in desks and listen to the teacher. Honestly, that is just plain boring. In robotics, I am applying what I learn each day, and I understand better because it’s a hands-on activity. Robotics makes me feel important, that I actually have something that I can do. Another reason I feel smarter is because I actually do more homework now than I did before. Even so, my math grade has gone down. I do not really care too much about that because it just provokes me to work harder to keep my grades up, so I can stay on the team.

At the VEX competitions, I saw so many people competing and so many different designs. I felt so excited and wanted to see how far my team’s robot could go. I never thought we would be seeded first. Even though we lost, I could not wait to get back to work and fix the robot. I learned what our advantages and disadvantages were and helped my team to build a new and improved robot.

When I first signed up for the FIRST team, I never thought I would get in. Although I was not confident, I still went to my interview and did the best I could. I was so elated to find out that I made it on the mechanical team. Since we started, I've learned many new things. John taught us how to find the ideal gear ratio using stall torque and free speed. I admit it took me a long time before I understood that. When we started to work using the mill and the lathe in the machine shop, I was so scared. I was very hesitant to use those machines. Then, I saw Mr. Ing using them and I learned how to operate them. I have used both machines, but I like the mill the best.

Robotics has impacted my life positively. I have made new friends, became closer with people I already knew, learned new things including how to apply what I have learned. Robotics is like my second family. I am really glad I joined and plan on joining robotics again next year.

Upon joining robotics I did not know what to expect, often hearing from others that robotics is not a girl's type of activity. However, after being a part of the team, I can now say that robotics is an activity suitable for anyone seeking to challenge themselves with the prospect of putting together a big project for competition. The hands on activities as well as the critical thinking involved in building a robot is truly an invaluable experience. Robotics has given me the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people as we learn from each other while working towards a common goal. Being a member of robotics has allowed me to expand my horizons, nurturing a better understanding of teamwork, interpersonal skills, and much, much more. I am definitely looking forward to gaining additional skills in building, programming, and writing in the upcoming season.

The reason why I enlisted in the robotics team was because I presumed it would be both an interesting and a learning experience. Of course, I was right. Robotics has got to be one of the best set of memories I will ever remember of high school. I wanted to try something new that would both succor in enhancing my current abilities and also in developing new engineering-correlated abilities. Yes, engineering is my decision and goal. Robotics answered my call. Being part of this team gives me a sense of completeness and purpose in life. I enjoy working together with my fellow classmates in learning new concepts, terms, how to operate new tools, the mill and much more. Achieving success as a group gives such a surge of audacity. Robotics has certainly impacted my life.This is my first year in taking part, but already I cannot help myself from tweaking at robotics things from morning until past midnight. It feels so great to contribute to the team and watch as we rise above others in expectations and performance. I could honestly say that robotics is much more tiring and hardcore when I compare it to being on the football team. If I could, I would roll back time and join in my freshman year. I love how it gives us a sense of the real world. This is because robotics is really kind of like a real job where it is much more than taking notes, but also expects participation in hands-on activities and the ability to the work. It has certainly made me feel smarter about myself.

Robotics is the "FIRST" step to my engineering career.

I joined robotics primarily for one reason - to build and play with robots, of course. Now that I am a member, I don't see one reason why someone would not join our robotics team. During my time here at McKinley High Robotics I did things that I never thought I would have during my time in high school. During my freshman year, I contemplated joining robotics. I decided not to not just because I missed the first robotics informational meeting, but I heard that high school was challenging and homework would take up most of my time so that I wouldn't have time to do anything else. After completing my freshman year with more than acceptable grades, I planned to do more in my sophomore year and so I joined robotics. I regret the fact that I did not join earlier because my sophomore year is more gruesome than my freshman year was. From the time of joining until now, I feel like I have done more this year than any other year in recent memory. From the initial VEX season to the more challenging FIRST season, I learned more about robots, engineering, mechanics, programming, etc. than I had ever before. Robotics isn't only about learning things, but also about doing things and participating in competitions and, above all, having fun in all that you do and enjoying all of the experiences that you may have. I hope that robotics will impact others as it has impacted me.

From robotics, I feel that my life has become more challenging than it ever was in a positive way. I realize that the stuff I learn in class and from textbooks is not only used to get smart and get good grades, but it can also be applied to so many more things. Being a part of robotics has made me think differently and search for my own answers to problems that my team and I faced. It has also helped me to manage my own life more carefully. I learned that procrastination is not good, even though I still do it. Also, my grades are harder to maintain than ever before, but in the end after all has been said and done, I feel more accomplished than I would have otherwise. Now I know why people don't do their assignments, or turn them in late. It is mainly due to the fact that school is not everything and that we, as students, need to expand our knowledge not just in the classroom, but also by being involved, committed, and dedicated. You should be willing to offer up your time to something you enjoy doing and not just by yourself, but also with others in a team as well. From being involved with the team, I learned that one person cannot be expected to be able to accomplish everything on their own, but needs the support of others. Teammates are not there to hold you back and slow you down, but they can actually help you and correct you if what you are doing is wrong and lend support when you are right. From the build seasons to the competitions, I have met a wide range of people from those that I had known prior to joining to others that are from different countries.

This is my first year on the robotics team and more like half a year since only a semester has passed. I never did plan on joining the robotics team before, but this year I tried it. Most of the time I like to try new things. I joined mainly because my friends were joining and I did not want to feel left out and I also missed building things. I have never worked with these kinds of robot metal parts before so it was a new experience. I would say that robotics has had a very positive impact on my life in many ways. For example, I feel that I am challenging myself more. Robotics requires me to put in my time and effort. Instead of going straight home afterschool and just watching tv and not doing anything productive, I would go to robotics where I feel like my brain is growing. It makes me feel smarter; as if I had a bigger brain. In school they teach us the basic stuff and they build off of it every year. But in robotics my brain is growing in a different field. It still requires me to apply what I learn in class to what we are doing, but in a different way that I understand better than in the classroom. Also, because of robotics, I do my homework more. From the little time after school that we have until we start working for the day, I use that time to do my homework. I know that I will be very tired later on in the day and will not feel like doing my homework. Though I do my homework more than I did before, my grades have went slightly down, but that's fine with me. It just makes it more of a challenge to keep my grades up and stay on the robotics team.

At first, I didn't know what was going on and I felt so lost so I did not feel like I wanted to continue. But I told myself that I should stick it out for as long as I could and eventually I started to look forward to going to robotics. It started to become really exciting to come in almost everyday and look forward to working on your own "creation." And then the VEX season ended and the FIRST season was starting. I did not feel too positive about interviewing for the FIRST team and I planned on cancelling my interview, but I wasn't able to and was told to try my best. Now I am glad that I went to the interview. I made it onto the mechanical team, but as an alternate. I was very surprised about that, but I did not like the physics lessons even though I missed most of them. As an alternate, I thought I was only supposed to come in about every other day, but then everyone came in everyday so it started to get really crowded. But now we have set up a schedule of when to come in so it should be good. So far I feel as if I have learned a lot and I am really grateful to our mentors who put in their time for us. Over time, I hope I will be able to pick up new knowledge along the way as we work and be able to experience new things. Robotics has given me a chance to open up and try new things.

The reason I joined robotics was because I heard the many things they offer, including 3D animation. I was always artistic and I had an interest in art, so something new like 3D animation seemed interesting and challenging to me. When I actually joined robotics, it seemed that everybody looked smart and serious. Honestly, I was a little bit nervous. Then all of a sudden we started breaking apart these robots. I did not know what everyone was doing because I had no knowledge of robots. Then, the VEX season began and we started making these robots. I did not get it and thought, "How does everybody know what to do?" In some ways it started to become unsatisfying for me as I did not feel needed and I did not feel the thrill and challenge that I was hoping to get. Because I am also on the soccer team, I became concentrated on that and I did not think about robotics as much as soccer. But, when the FIRST season was about to start, I realized my original reason for joining -- to do 3D. So I decided to apply for a position even if it seemed a little hopeless. A few days later, I was on the animation team. I felt the thrill of being able to participate in something big. For the first time in robotics, I truly felt needed and that everyone needed me in order to accomplish this huge project. I also started to feel the passion and pride for robotics. Even though this was my first time doing 3D, I realized how exciting it was and how amazing it could be for something in your mind to be able to take shape realistically. I realized the potential of this 3D animation technology even though I am not that interested in computers. I guess since I joined robotics, I became more responsible and aware of the things around me. I am proud to be on the McKinley Robotics Team and this is what I truly wanted in joining robotics.

Robotics has positively impacted my life by giving me hands-on experiences in science and technology. It has given me opportunities to learn to work as a team and to gain leadership skills. FIRST has also shown me a pathway in the field of engineering. I am a first year member but robotics has indeed become a big part of my life.

From an outsider’s point of view, I only saw robotics as some whacky program where people got together just to build weird-but-awesome things and compete. I joined on a whim, thinking it would simply be a fun way to spend my final year in high school. But after joining, I discovered that it was much more than that. Robotics gave me the opportunity to work with people I never would have normally worked with, and that opened my eyes to the unique and brilliant minds they were hiding inside. They amazed me with their different points of view, showing me solutions I never dreamed possible. I learned to yield to the suggestions of others, but I also learned to speak up when necessary. My team leader showed me the importance of cooperation in a team; although she could provide direction to our efforts, she could not complete the task alone and needed all of our help. That also led me to understand that leadership is anything but easy, requiring patience and insight. The competitions themselves were full of life-giving energy and nerve-wracking stress, which were healthy infusions into my otherwise dull life. In addition, I also gained some mechanical knowledge and a better understanding of physics (such as torque, vectors, force, etc), which was something I sorely needed. This may be my first year in robotics, but it has already given me so many benefits. I hope to repay the team by representing it well as a member of the PR team and by applying these wonderful experiences to all my future endeavors.

I joined judo in my first year of high school. During my sophomore year, I was hired as a part time tutor at Kumon center. When my junior year first started, I thought to myself that I must join an after school activity to complete my schedule. I had considered joining robotics in freshman year, however, robotics sounded like a place with a high threshold. I assumed that there would be tryouts, like the way that sports select the fittest players. When I finally stepped into J-4 to attend a VEX robotics informational meeting, my previous assumptions were shattered to pieces. Apparently, anyone with any interest is invited to join VEX robotics. Without further hesitation, I had my parents sign my papers, thus becoming a new member of the VEX program. Throughout the VEX season, my eyes and my mind were exposed to brand new objects and vocabulary. The phrase that I used most frequently was, “What is that?” Later, I became a member of the FIRST animation team. My saying has changed to, “How do you do that?” As you can see, robotics has taught me new information and changed my perspective. The most significant lesson I have learned is the distinction between “commitment” and “dedication.” You can show that you are committed by coming to robotics every day. On the other hand, a dedicated person is someone who shows up prepared every day. Robotics has impact my life by proving that classroom knowledge can be applied outside of class. Finally, robotics has taught me the important value of dedication.