Greetings and salutations to our wonderful FIRST Chesapeake community!
As we approach the mid-point of our FTC season, and kickoff FRC, I am reminded of the amazing innovation and spirit of collaboration that exists in our community. I am truly inspired by the way our teams come together to brainstorm, create, and compete – a process that sparks creativity and requires dedication, hard work, and most importantly, collaboration.
At FIRST Chesapeake, we appreciate the enthusiasm and passion that each of our teams bring to the table. We are proud to celebrate our love for STEM and our community – two values that go hand in hand. As members of this community, it is important that we remember to be respectful of one another and to be mindful of our actions and words.
This is especially important when expressing our enthusiasm through apparel or other visual cues that may be associated with an identity, culture, ethnicity, or racial group. While colorful hats or inspirational team apparel can be a great way to show our love for STEM, it is important to be aware of how our actions could be perceived by those around us. For officials, mentors, and coaches, it is essential that we are conscious of our actions and take care to ensure that our intent is accurately conveyed to the team members around us.
I hope that each of our community members will use this moment to reflect on the importance of respect and collaboration in the FIRST Chesapeake community. Together, we can help to create a space that is safe and inclusive for all members of our community to learn, grow, and explore.
With warmest regards,
Scott Turnbull, Executive Director of FIRST Chesapeake
