World Championship Series: Part 7 “Reflecting on the Past, and Pressing Towards the Future”

As far as I can gather, FIRST is unlike any other team you might ever find yourself a part of. The community, the atmosphere, the teamwork. It’s all completely unique. No other program encompasses learning, fun, hard work, gracious professionalism, and the lessons taught by defeat like FIRST. I said in a previous blog post …

World Championship Series: Part 2 “Journey to St. Louis”

We didn’t really start to realize this year was different until we got to our second competition in Kokomo. For the first time in my memory we were not only easily hold a spot in the top 8 during qualifications but we were fighting neck and neck for first place. We didn’t win at Kokomo, …

World Championship Series: Part 1 “The Senior in St. Louis”

Three weeks ago today our team was getting ready to go to the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championships in St. Louis Missouri. We would be gone for four days, three nights, and experience what would be a once in a lifetime event for me. My name is Ryan Spangler, I am a senior this year …