Thanks for the clarification Mark. I thought there must some very strong
reasons for current schedule although had no privy to the underlying
reasons until explained.

Btw, I had awesome time as Judge this year. Thanks for the mentoring by Sam
and You. I wanted to send her a thank you note, unfortunately I could not
locate her email ID! :(

Purna

On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 4:17 PM, Mark Allen <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>
> All;
>
> The VA/DC FLL Championship Tournament happens only with the amazing
> support of James Madison University and the student volunteers.  The
> tournament and activities are largely planned, organized, and staffed by a
> leadership class in the fall semester and the success of this tournament
> relies on this effort (VA/DC is simply too big not to have this level of
> organization).  We've discussed moving the tournament back one week but we
> run into the end of the semester and final exams so this is simply not
> possible.  The timing constraints for moving this to a spring semester
> class have been examined and it is not possible.  The issues and
> interferences with FRC after the first of the year have also been discussed
> and would further complicate the issue.  We have the gracious support of
> JMU and TJ to work together in a way that every year has allowed students
> to complete the TJ exams and participate in the VA/DC FLL Championship.  As
> reinforcement of this, every member (according to the team) of our Division
> II Champion's Award winning team this year took the TJ test.  This issue
> has been reviewed thoroughly by the leadership of the VA/DC FLL
> Organization on multiple occasions and the compromise worked out which
> allows students to participate in both is still believed to be the best and
> perhaps only option that allows us to continue to service the loyal FLLers
> in the VA/DC region.
>
> Best regards,
> Mark Allen
> VA/DC Championship Head Judge
>
>  -----Original Message-----
> From: Nagesh Chintada <[log in to unmask]>
> To: VADCFLL-L <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Mon, Dec 5, 2011 2:03 pm
> Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] Thank you!
>
> Desh
> You bring up a great question about TJ exams. Your team's situation
> regarding TJ Exam is unfortunately not unique. There is a high correlation
> between teams that compete in FLL and team members that want to go to TJ,
> both strong in S.T.E.M.
>
>  My team members who will be in the 8th grade next year are already
> turned off at the prospect of TJ exam coinciding with FLL Championships,
> and they are not sure if they want to come back to FLL next year as a team
> due to the extra pressure this scheduling conflict creates.This is a
> dilemma many teams face and is not unique to one team, since I know some
> other kids who had similar issues.
>
>  *I would like to request VADCFLL to consider moving the competition a
> week after the TJ Exams are done. I am sure this will help more DivII teams
> show up and compete more fully.*
>
>  If there are more parents interested in such a change, I could setup a
> separate list for that discussion. Please send me an email directly
> [log in to unmask] if that makes sense,  instead of  sending to
> this list , to avoid spamming everyone else who may not be as interested in
> the issue.
>
>  Thank you
> Nagesh
>
> On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 1:47 PM, Desh Deshmukh <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
>
>>    Entire weekend was amazing, probably better atmosphere then the
>> Nationals and seeing so many amazing displays. costumes and game
>> performances under one roof. Congratulations to all and recording 207 score
>> Team 3070, Vienna Robotics and to X-Bots for 201.
>>
>> While the kids were competing, there was another game (Scheduling) was
>> played in the pit area to find next available time slot.  Every ten minutes
>> 12 table slots would fill within a second.  Hopefully the Harrisonburg HS
>> Key club volunteers in the Pita area do a small write-up.
>>
>> My team had good number of visitors drop in and asking questions to team
>> and few wanted to know about our RFID (Radio Frequency Identification
>> Device) sensor solution for keeping Milk Ud Safe -  from the farm to table.
>> Few individuals wanted to know the design specifics, which I can
>> communicate privately. We are extending the project research for the Global
>> Innovation award keeping Milk Cartons in the School cafeteria and homes
>> safe from spoilage. Team had fun creating a RAP Milikway musical and
>> sharing solution with many Safety experts including the Shenandoah Pride
>> Dairy Plant (supplier of  the Milk Cartons to the Schools in the Northern
>> Virginia).
>>
>> Expect Unexpected.
>>
>> Few suggestions for the teams taking (TJ exam next year) and scheduling
>> time session which may have caused my entire team to forfeit
>> participating as we didn't reach till 2.45 PM on Saturday. If I would
>> not have known Nick personally and giving him a heads-up and his
>> graciousness saved our weekend. First TJ entrance exam started late at
>> various NOVA centers (crowding) and second traffic was backed up for miles
>> due to a car in flames on I-66 before Front Royal. Few team members from my
>> team barely made on time for our first judging session. Our situationwas unique but a advise to communicate early with the tournament officials
>> and plan.
>>
>> Start planning for 2012 challenge - "Senior Solutions"
>>
>> http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2012seniorsolutions
>>
>> Good Luck
>>
>> Desh Deshmukh
>> Coach
>> BGiRO Milkiway
>>   *From:* Nagesh Chintada <[log in to unmask]>
>> *To:* [log in to unmask]
>> *Sent:* Monday, December 5, 2011 10:06 AM
>> *Subject:* [VADCFLL-L] Thank you!
>>
>>  Team X-BOTS would like to thank the VADCFLL Championship tournament
>> organizers as well as the judges, referees and all the volunteers who put
>> in a tremendous effort to make the VADCFLL Championships such an awesome
>> event every year.
>>
>>  Congratulations to all the teams who competed so hard while being such
>> gracious professionals. FLL has been a great learning experience for us,
>> and I hope it's the same for all of the teams that come to the tournament.
>> It was great to see so many teams from our schools in Northern Virginia at
>> Rocky Run and Greenbriar West participate and win. Thanks to the judges for
>> recognizing the amazing score of 201 in Robot Performance from team X-BOTS.
>>
>>  Hi fives to everyone
>> --
>> Nagesh Chintada
>> Coach
>> Team X-BOTS
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>>
>
>
>  --
> Nagesh Chintada
>
>
>  ------------------------------
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