Larry,
Please don't give up…the students, the event and the indoor
hobby…all need you!!! Without our mentor (Mark Schaefer) our team
would be lost…we never could have made it this far without him!!!!
Both WS and BLG are hard events…in which a mentor is worth his
weight in gold!!!!
Despite the frustration…try to keep in mind that for "some"
this isn't just a hobby …it's a lot like a sport. The
coaches, the parents and the student's goal are to be number
one…so "the whole team" can win "the whole contest"
in the end. There is a lot of pressure to make the score. Some people
take this to extreme…just like those crazy sport fanatics….and I
think in this case you have been dealing with one parent/coach of this
type.
I believe that being number one isn't everything…its nice of
course…but you need to earn it. If there isn't any
competition…it's not a sweet victory. Last year Kelsey (my
daughter) competed most of the year ahead of others. She was excited
when others started progressing…and she also pushed for the others
to get better. She not only helped some of the other competitors learn
how to trim but she even helped some of them fix their gliders when they
broke. I believe as the student progresses they tend to feel a comradery
with the other teams just as the indoor hobbyist do with each other. I
was just amazed at the state contest last year…when I saw first
hand…how much the different WS and BLG "flying" teams
supported one another…not only in cheering each other on …but
with loaning winders, rubber, balloons and glue. I was extremely proud
of the good sportsmanship I saw between these teams!
Remember…not all of us in Science Olympiad are schmucks. I see both
the value and potential in BLG and WS…and I think all the kids
deserve the help and chance to prosper!!!!! As a mother whose kids
compete in this event…I wouldn't be running a yahoo group to
help other students and coaches learn the BLG…if I didn't
believe this! Diplomacy would be great option! However, if that
doesn't work…in my opinion Larry…help those who
"want" to be helped…and don't worry about the others!
It's their loss!
Lori
Ohio
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/balloonlaunchglider
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http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/balloonlaunchglider>
BTW…from what I have witnessed and from the reports I have
heard…the BLG has become quite the spectator sport. My hope is that
this brings on a new "interest" in indoor flying.
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Received on Tue Jan 23 2007 - 09:06:25 CET