Being a rookie in the Godwin Robotics Club, and having been with the team for less than a year, I have already learned many skills I will need for the future. The FIRST Robotics program has allowed me to experience things that, coming into high school, I never would have imagined I would. Things like building a robot, thinking of strategies and getting hands on with building equipment were all new to me.
Coming into this experience I allowed myself to think that I would not be getting much out of it. I was completely wrong. Having been with them for about four months, this program has already matured me into a creative and skillful adult. FIRST Robotics allows students to span out and use their creative ways and scientific knowledge to learn how to build a robot.
The club has taught me many ways to process and solve a problem. Godwin Robotics has changed me in a way so that I can now walk into a room with very intellectual people and not feel as intimidated.  I know that I can jump right in and, even though I might not know what I am doing, I can help and learn from my experience. -By Erin Fauber                                                                                                           

When brainstorming ideas for the Chairman’s Award, the team was asked what came to mind when they thought of FIRST.  The phrase “building a future” is what echoed through my head and I did not pause to voice my opinion.  Being one of the first to speak, my thoughts initiated a flood of similar phrases such as “lifelong experiences,” “opening up opportunities to promote yourself,” and “a way to further shape the minds of the future.”  Being a member of such an organization has made me realize how much our generation is capable of doing and how we can impact the future of our community, region, country, and world.
Effectively operating with a group of sixty students to meet a set of goals promotes the kinds of processes necessary for a successful business.  The ability to communicate between sponsors, mentors, parents, and other students is one of the strongest abilities team members gain through this program.  Members are able to gain an understanding of enduring frustration and disappointment by dealing with the stresses of the failure and success process.  At the young age of eighteen, we are thrust into a demanding education system and, afterwards, into the work force; however, by being involved in the FIRST program, our generation will have the experience and knowledge to be successful, no matter the circumstances.
-Alex B., Team Captain

Participating in the parent group of the Godwin Robotics Club has given me a new understanding of the importance of this program for my child's growth and development. When my son came to Godwin, he was excited about the robotics program. He is proud of being a "geek" and is looking forward to a career in the sciences. I thought that the club would be, simply that, a typical high school activity. What I found was a much more significant learning experience.
What I have realized is how rich and rewarding the FIRST Robotics program is for young people. As parents, we want our children to grow into mature adults who understand how to be involved in their larger community, to work together doing meaningful work, and to experience the joys and frustrations of developmental challenges. In other words, we want to help our young people become mature, well balanced human beings who can function well in the real world. The robotics program provides such opportunities.

Too often we parents try to protect our children from frustration and disappointment. Sadly, this can in many cases inhibit our children's maturation. In the past I have served as the president of the Campus Ministry Association at the University of Georgia. I have participated in many conversations with administrators, counselors and campus ministers who worry that many of our gifted young people arrive at college with only the life skills to success. They are very bright and talented young people, but too often they lack the understanding of how to deal with frustration, disappointment and failure. They know how to succeed. Yet often in life our most important learning experiences come from our disappointments. Then we are faced with the choice to try again and try harder or we can give up. 
Godwin FIRST Robotics is an excellent example of a program that allows our young people to learn from trial and error, to work collaboratively and to achieve self confidence and self esteem. Certainly they learn concrete problem solving skills and how to create and build a robot. While this is wonderful, as a parent I am most pleased with the focus on developing young people to be engaged, creative citizens of our community and ultimately of our nation and world. They are creating more than robots, they are creating the seeds for the future.
--Teri B., Parent

One of my biggest joys is being an Alumni mentor of Talon 540. I love seeing the kids learn and grow. This program did so much for me , and I love seeing the same thing happen with other kids.  FIRST has so many opportunities  from PR to mechanical. At times it is hard not to just jump in and build it for them, but that is part of being a mentor. Its not my team anymore , but I still come and help the new generation of Talon 540. These kids embrace FIRST so much, it’s a beautiful thing. At the competitions, I am no longer allowed to be a driver, but through VirginiaFIRST I have had the opportunity to MC competitions and will also volunteer for them at the local regional events.  I cant wait to see where this team goes and how the individual members continue to grow.

--D.Sporn, Alumni