Welcome to the FIRST Robotics Competition

Bayou Regional

We are proud to be a unique regional competition! 

The planning committee has been working very hard to make this competition an exciting and rewarding event for you. 

We are very grateful for the support that FIRST continues to generously provide for this regional.  They have given their time, advice and some experienced personnel to guarantee our success.  NASA needs to be recognized for their contributions of both financial resources and manpower to bring the FIRST opportunity to our regional.  A big thanks needs to go to the enthusiastic people from our support organization BLaST, Inc. (Building Louisiana’s Science and Technology).  BLaST, Inc. has provided the manpower for our planning committee.  Included on the BLaST, Inc. board are representatives from:

                       The local chapter of ASME

                       The Bruce J. Heim Foundation

                       Intralox, Inc.

                       Lockheed/Martin

                       New Orleans Public Schools

                       Stennis Space Center

                       Tulane University

                        and the University of New Orleans

Finally, our biggest thank you goes to the mentors, coaches, teachers, and students for being here.  We appreciate everyone’s tremendous commitment!

Each year, students, educators, and corporate volunteers, eagerly await the January kickoff to learn what the annual game and its rules will entail.  Today marks the culmination of your dedication and hard work in meeting the 2009 FIRST challenge.  Here on the arena floor, you will test your design, strategy, and fabrication skills against many worthy opponents.  In the spirit of gracious professionalism, these opponents will become your friends and colleagues – perhaps for years to come.  We hope that you take full advantage of the opportunity to lean from what other teams might have to offer. 

On behalf of the Bayou Regional planning committee and all the sponsors and partners who join us this year, we wish you much success. 

Let the games begin and thank you for being an essential part of the experience.

Barbara Pailet

Bayou Regional Planning Committee Chairperson