Harvey Mudd College, Qualifying Event
On a cool morning, teams 2375 and 2379 arrived at the parking lot of Harvey Mudd College where we competed for our Qualifying Event, the most important event of our season. This is the event that will decide whether or not if we can advance into the next level of competition. As soon as we saw teams approaching the registration area, we felt the strong competitiveness between the 34 different teams. Our day turned out to be better than we expected. Our project went well, the judges showed much understanding towards our project. We were asked to stack cups up in a pyramid in the shortest amount of time as possible, we finished up with 47 seconds. As for our robot game, we were first place the whole day. Knowing that we've done well like we expected, we sat in the middle of the quad area with excitement and curiosity, as we waited for the award ceremony to start. Suddenly, an unexpected 400 point run was put up by the Ancroid placing us second place in robot game. Knowing that, we started to be a little more frighten, but we remembered that one thing our coach kept on telling us; even if things don't go our way, we shouldn't be disappointed knowing the amount of work we put in. With that being said, our team sat quietly in the cold weather, almost with no patient, wanting the award ceremony to start. Our team happily ran down to get the award when we were called out for second place in robot game, and that is when we know championship award is going to be announced next. When we went back to our spot, we sat there and thought; it is not about wining anymore but about how we can find more excuses to meet each other after school and because if it weren't for FLL, there is really no reason we should meet each other right after school everyday, stayed until 10 o'clock pm the day before competition, go in the classroom during lunch to work on whatever we need to finish, sacrifices most of our time with our own family to meet with the team, and so on... To us, wining is just something that would give us an excuse to spent more time with each other and continue doing what we like with each other.With that thought in our head, we only prayed that we will be advancing into Regionals and continue this program and extend our friendship with each and every members of the team and further create a family relationship and atmosphere. :)